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Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Monday, October 11, 2010
Thursday, September 23, 2010
It's All About Relationship
"Everything you were designed to experience and enjoy is found in God. Knowing God is your life and your highest joy. You either believe that or you don't. Believe it and you will experience and enjoy life, real life, eventually. Guaranteed. Disbelieve it and, at best, you will experience counterfeit life and enjoy it only for a season."
I have found these words that Larry Crabb wrote in his book THE PAPA PRAYER to be true. Hey, I'm not bragging or anything. Sadly, for a season and then on more than one occasion, I chose poorly. Yes, I have experienced "counterfeit life." But living a counterfeit life is not how our Creator designed us. And it's not how I've chosen to live my life now.
Reading Psalm 91 today from the Message version of the Bible, I was struck with how relational God's words are to us, His sons and daughters:
This particular Psalm is so familiar. But today it read differently. Rather than being all about me and how God would do all this great stuff for me, it hit my heart as a plea. Here is the God of all the Universe pleading for me to "get to know and trust" Him. What else can it be but relationship? Clearly, He knows what Crabb says is true and He wants the best for His kids!
Crabb's book title is a turn-off for me. I never called my dad or any other father figure papa. It's just not a term my family has ever used. Goodness knows, coming to terms with my own father wounds was a huge obstacle to get through before I felt comfortable calling God, Father. But Papa?
Actually, PAPA is an acronym:
Present yourself to God
Attend to how you're thinking of God
Purge anything blocking your relationship with God
Approach God as the "first thing" in your life
What this is, is a form of relational praying modeled after the Lord's Prayer (see my blog post How To Pray for more on this).
A confession: So much of my praying has been driven out of a deep performance orientation along with narcissistic tendencies resulting in me attempting to create my own happy life. Somewhere within I'd think that if I just did it right or enough or with the proper intentionality, then God would hear and I'd get what I was asking for. It's clear to me now that this was steeped in duty and obligation, not rooted as a son knowing and resting in the love of his True Father.
Another confession: Many of the teachers I've been drawn to, especially on all forms of prayer including spiritual warfare, lean toward a similar view as what I had. No, I'm not advocating throwing it all out the window. What I am saying is exactly what Crabb says in the quote atop this post and that is that GOD be the first thing. Anything that gets in the way of God being the first thing in our lives, including things like warfare prayer, is out of place...wrongly ordered in our lives.
Obviously, I heartily recommend "The PAPA Prayer" or I would not have written all of this about it! Just be aware that reading it and then following "A Simple Four-Day Plan" which starts on page 171 of the book, is likely to shake some things up in your life a bit; particularly if, like me, so much of that life has been all about creating your own happy life following the many guru-given principles du jour and using God as a sort of modern-day vending machine.
I have found these words that Larry Crabb wrote in his book THE PAPA PRAYER to be true. Hey, I'm not bragging or anything. Sadly, for a season and then on more than one occasion, I chose poorly. Yes, I have experienced "counterfeit life." But living a counterfeit life is not how our Creator designed us. And it's not how I've chosen to live my life now.
Reading Psalm 91 today from the Message version of the Bible, I was struck with how relational God's words are to us, His sons and daughters:
"If you'll hold on to me for dear life," says God,
"I'll get you out of any trouble.
I'll give you the best of care
if you'll only get to know and trust me.
Call me and I'll answer, be at your side in bad
times;
I'll rescue you, then throw you a party."
Psalm 91:14-15 (emphasis mine)
This particular Psalm is so familiar. But today it read differently. Rather than being all about me and how God would do all this great stuff for me, it hit my heart as a plea. Here is the God of all the Universe pleading for me to "get to know and trust" Him. What else can it be but relationship? Clearly, He knows what Crabb says is true and He wants the best for His kids!
Crabb's book title is a turn-off for me. I never called my dad or any other father figure papa. It's just not a term my family has ever used. Goodness knows, coming to terms with my own father wounds was a huge obstacle to get through before I felt comfortable calling God, Father. But Papa?
Actually, PAPA is an acronym:
Present yourself to God
Attend to how you're thinking of God
Purge anything blocking your relationship with God
Approach God as the "first thing" in your life
What this is, is a form of relational praying modeled after the Lord's Prayer (see my blog post How To Pray for more on this).
A confession: So much of my praying has been driven out of a deep performance orientation along with narcissistic tendencies resulting in me attempting to create my own happy life. Somewhere within I'd think that if I just did it right or enough or with the proper intentionality, then God would hear and I'd get what I was asking for. It's clear to me now that this was steeped in duty and obligation, not rooted as a son knowing and resting in the love of his True Father.
Another confession: Many of the teachers I've been drawn to, especially on all forms of prayer including spiritual warfare, lean toward a similar view as what I had. No, I'm not advocating throwing it all out the window. What I am saying is exactly what Crabb says in the quote atop this post and that is that GOD be the first thing. Anything that gets in the way of God being the first thing in our lives, including things like warfare prayer, is out of place...wrongly ordered in our lives.
Obviously, I heartily recommend "The PAPA Prayer" or I would not have written all of this about it! Just be aware that reading it and then following "A Simple Four-Day Plan" which starts on page 171 of the book, is likely to shake some things up in your life a bit; particularly if, like me, so much of that life has been all about creating your own happy life following the many guru-given principles du jour and using God as a sort of modern-day vending machine.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Oath of Office, The Constitution, and 9/11
Probably, like you, I remember exactly where I was at the moment...just like when Kennedy was assassinated (if you're old enough to remember) and the space shuttle disintegrated upon re-entry. No matter how hard I try to erase the images from my brain, I cannot seem to purge the visuals of fellow citizens jumping from windows to their deaths God knows how many stories up. I have never known nor experienced terror to that degree. I hope I never have to.
And I have been thinking. Not just today or yesterday. But for almost a decade. This post is a brief of where I've come to in that thinking over time.
Every four years we decide upon a new president for these United States. In January following the November election every 4 years, our elected President takes the following Oath of Office:
- "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter: So help me God."
Okay, so what's my point?! It seems the mindset de rigueur is to deflect responsibility and push most things off onto others, especially if the results are less than favorable. Let's just call it an "it's not my fault" mentality. As another election approaches, we're hearing this more and more. It's the other guy (or gal). It's not me!
Regardless of political party sentiments and loyalties, it is quite clear that the ball was dropped along the way resulting in the 9/11 event in 2001, particularly if you're measuring the effectiveness of our elected REPRESENTATIVES (there's that word again). Even if you're of the "false flag" persuasion, the ball was dropped when it comes to the oath ALL of our elected "leaders" take.
I'm not sure what it is about this year. But I seem to be on a heightened awareness! I'm remembering. I'm remembering 9/11 and the visual images seared into my consciousness. And I'll be remembering in November when I vote. If an elected official was in office back in 2001, they bear some of the blame for not fulfilling their oath. I will be doing my part to replace them. And for those who have come on the scene since, I'm beyond weary of listening to all the empty words ad infinitum. IT'S WHAT THEY DO that counts, not what they say.
And I realize that I, too, bear responsibility. I was a voter then, like now. The people in office then and the decade before were MY REPRESENTATIVES. "We the people" voted them into office to represent us. They failed to fulfill their oath. Since so many refuse to own up to the responsibilities of the office they temporarily held then or hold now, I need to help them understand. I am responsible to help them REMEMBER!
Lately, during my prayer times I've found myself praying: Father, set our country right. Let us be one nation under You, the Living God, again. Give us representatives that will do right for all, and not just themselves. YES!
Saturday, September 4, 2010
He Loves Me
If given the option of recommending just one book to those I love and about whom I care deeply, it would be He Loves Me! Learning to Live in the Father's Affection by Wayne Jacobsen. Oh, I know...I get it. It's CC (Christian Correct) to always say "The Bible" when presented this question. But I've long since passed the point of needing to be politically or christian correct.
So many have been powerfully and effectively inoculated in our religious culture that being a good christian is all about reading the Bible, praying, and all of that. I must admit that I had that vaccine administered to me, too. I'm not advocating that we should stop reading the Bible. It's simply a fact there was a time for me when doing so was just dry and pointless and laden with guilt if I didn't. I had been so programmed on "doing something great for God" that I was missing the point.
Rarely do I read a book more than once, but NOT this one. Over the last few years on more than one occasion when I would pray and ask Father, "hey, what would You suggest I read next?" The answer came back, "He Loves Me!" I've read the book at least half a dozen times over the last two years.
The message is clear. Ben, My son, you don't get it. Here you've been striving, living your life under such huge performance orientation. That's not the best I have for you. I want you to really get this message. I LOVE YOU! And this from the Creator of the Universe!
Honestly, I'm not positive that I get it yet today deep in the core of my being. But I'm beginning to!
Oh, and just for any naysayers or cynics amongst my readers, I have read The Bible through completely at least twice in the last 18 months....just sayin'. Don't miss my point. Don't miss the message in this book!
So many have been powerfully and effectively inoculated in our religious culture that being a good christian is all about reading the Bible, praying, and all of that. I must admit that I had that vaccine administered to me, too. I'm not advocating that we should stop reading the Bible. It's simply a fact there was a time for me when doing so was just dry and pointless and laden with guilt if I didn't. I had been so programmed on "doing something great for God" that I was missing the point.
The message is clear. Ben, My son, you don't get it. Here you've been striving, living your life under such huge performance orientation. That's not the best I have for you. I want you to really get this message. I LOVE YOU! And this from the Creator of the Universe!
Honestly, I'm not positive that I get it yet today deep in the core of my being. But I'm beginning to!
Oh, and just for any naysayers or cynics amongst my readers, I have read The Bible through completely at least twice in the last 18 months....just sayin'. Don't miss my point. Don't miss the message in this book!
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Daily Affirmations & Law of Attraction
A part of my story is a journey down the new age path. Somewhere along the way, I'd become so disillusioned with the whole Christianity thing, particularly the institutional version of that, that I simply said "enough" and walked away. It just wasn't necessary nor was it really working for me.
What I walked toward, hoping to find Truth, was this old notion (not really new anything) that we are indeed, each one of us, gods. We create our own reality. We attract things and the universe is bound to comply and give us what we want.
I am indeed fortunate that my Creator came after me and rescued me. He had long heard my prayer that I desired Truth more than anything else...that I wanted to know Truth.
All of that is to say that I discovered a few years back a wonderful compilation written decades before by Dr. Victor Matthews, a college professor at a seminary in the Midwest United States. It is a daily affirmation and for me the Truth I want to "attract" or live by in my own life.
I often recite it out loud, a proclamation to all of creation and myself, of decisions I make for this time...this day. Sometimes, I come back and look up specific references that are cited and delve deeper into a particular Truth.
And so, here's Dr. Matthews "The Daily Affirmation of Faith:"
Today I deliberately choose to submit myself fully to God as He has made Himself known to me through the Holy Scriptures which I honestly accept as the only inspired, infallible, authoritative standard for all of life and practice. In this day I will not judge God, His work, myself or others on the basis of feelings or circumstances.
In particular--I recognize by faith:
1. That the triune God is worthy of all honor, praise, and worship as the Creator, Sustainer, and End of all things. As my Creator I confess that God made me for Himself. In this day I therefore choose to live for Him (Rev. 5:9,10; Isa. 43:1, 7, 21; Rev. 4:11).
2. That God loved me and chose me in Christ before time began (Eph. 1:1-7).
3. That God has proven His love to me in sending His Son to die in my place, whereby every provision has already been made for my past, present, and future needs through His representative work whereby I have been quickened, raised, seated with Christ in the heavenlies and anointed with the Holy Spirit (Rom. 5:6-11; 8:28-39; Phil. 1:6; 4:6, 7, 13, 19; Eph. 1:3; 2:5, 6; Acts 2:1-4, 33).
4. That since I have received Christ as my Lord and Savior, I believe God's Word that He has received me (Jn. 1:12; Eph. 1:6); forgiven me (Eph. 1:7); adopted me into His family whereby He has assumed every responsibility for me (Jn. 17:11, 17, 21, 24; Eph. 1:5; Phil. 1:6); given to me eternal life (Jn. 3:36, I Jn. 5:9-13), applied Christ's perfect righteousness to me whereby I am justified (Rom. 5:1); has made me complete in Christ (Col. 2:10); that He offers Himself to me as my daily sufficiency through prayer and the decisions of faith (I Cor. 1:30; Col. 1:27 Gal. 2:20; Jn. 14:13, 14; Matt. 21:22; Rom. 6:1-19, Heb. 4:1-3, 11); and that the Holy Spirit Himself has baptized me into the Body of Christ (I Cor. 12:13); sealed me (Eph. 1:13,14); anointed me for life and service (Acts 1:8; Jn. 7:37-39); seeks to lead me into a deeper walk with Christ (Jn. 14:16-18; 15:26, 27; 16:13-15; Rom. 8:11-16), and to fill my life with Himself (Eph. 5:18). I accept these truths as realities in my life today.
5. That only God can deal with sin and only God can produce holiness of life. I confess that in my salvation my part was only to receive Him and that He dealt with my sin and saved me. Now I confess that in order to live a holy life, I can only surrender to His will and receive Him as my sanctification, trusting Him to do that glorious work within whereby I may be enabled to live today in purity, freedom, rest, and power for His glory (Jn. 1:12; I Cor. 1:30; II Cor. 9:8; Gal. 2:20; Heb. 4:9; I Jn. 5:4; Jude 24).
Having confessed that God is worthy of all praise, that the Scriptures are the only authoritative standard, that only God can deal with sin and produce holiness of life, I again recognize my total dependence upon Him and submission to Him. I accept the truth that praying in faith is absolutely necessary for the realization of the will and grace of God in my daily life of sanctification (I Jn. 5:14,15, James 2:6, 4:2, 3, 5:1618; Phil. 4:6, 7; Heb. 4:1-3; 11:6, 24-28).
Recognizing that faith is a total response to God whereby the daily provisions which the Lord has provided in Himself are appropriated, I THEREFORE MAKE THE FOLLOWING DECISIONS OF FAITH.
1. For this day (Heb. 3:7,13,15; 4:7) I make the decision of faith to wholly surrender to the authority of God as He has revealed Himself in the Scriptures --TO OBEY HIM. I hereby confess my sin, face the sinful reality of my old nature [flesh] and deliberately choose to walk in the light, in step with Christ, throughout the hours of this day (Rom. 6:16-20; Phil. 2:12-13; I John 1:7,9).
2. For this day I make the decision of faith to wholly surrender to the authority of God as revealed in the Scriptures--TO BELIEVE HIM. I accept only His Word as final authority. I now believe that since I have confessed my sin He has forgiven and cleansed me (I John 1:9). I accept His Word of promise, to be my sufficiency and rest, at full value and will conduct myself accordingly (Exod. 33:14; I Cor. 1:30; II Cor. 9:8; Phil. 4:19).
3. For this day I make the decision of faith to recognize that God has made every necessary provision so that I may fulfill His will and calling. Therefore I will not make any excuse for my sin and failure (I Thess. 5:24).
4. For this day I make the decision of faith to deliberately receive from God that provision which He has made for me. I hereby renounce all self-effort to live the Christian life and to perform God's service; renounce all sinful activity which only weeps over sin and failure; renounce all sinful praying which asks God to change circumstances and people so that I may be more spiritual; renounce all drawing back from the work of the Holy Spirit within and the call of God without, and renounce all non-Biblical motives, goals, and activities which serve my sinful pride.
a. I sincerely receive Christ as my sanctification, particularly now as my cleansing from the old nature [flesh], and ask the Holy Spirit to apply to me the work Christ accomplished for me on the Cross. In cooperation and dependence upon Him, I obey the command to "put off [the conduct of] the old man" (Rom. 6:1-14, I Cor. 1:30; Gal. 6:14; Eph. 4:22).
b. I sincerely receive Christ as my sanctification, particularly now as my enablement moment by moment to live above sin, and ask the Holy Spirit to apply to me the work of the Resurrection so that I may walk in newness of life. I confess that only God can deal with my sin and only God can produce holiness and the fruit of the Spirit in my life. In cooperation and dependence upon Him, I obey the command to "put on [the conduct of] the new man" (Rom. 6:1-4; Eph. 4:24).
c. I sincerely receive Christ as my deliverance from Satan and take my position with Him in the heavenlies asking the Holy Spirit to apply to me the work of the Ascension. In His Name I submit myself to God and stand against all Satanic influence and subtilty. In cooperation with and dependence upon God, I obey the command to "resist the Devil" (Eph.1:20-23;2:5,6;4:27; 6:10-18; Col. 1:13; Heb. 2:14,16; James 4:7; I Pet. 5:8,9).
d. I sincerely receive the Holy Spirit as my anointing for every aspect of life and service for today. I fully open my life to Him to fill me afresh in obedience to the command to "be filled with the Holy Spirit" (Eph. 5:18; John 7:37-39;14:17,26;15:26, 27;16:7-15; Acts 1:8).
Having made this confession and these decisions of faith, I now receive God's promised rest for this day (Heb. 4:1-13). Having sincerely attempted to do my part, I now assume the rest of faith that God will do His part. Therefore, I relax in the trust of faith knowing that in the moment of temptation, trial, or need, the Lord will be there as my strength and sufficiency (I Cor. 10:13).
What I walked toward, hoping to find Truth, was this old notion (not really new anything) that we are indeed, each one of us, gods. We create our own reality. We attract things and the universe is bound to comply and give us what we want.
I am indeed fortunate that my Creator came after me and rescued me. He had long heard my prayer that I desired Truth more than anything else...that I wanted to know Truth.
All of that is to say that I discovered a few years back a wonderful compilation written decades before by Dr. Victor Matthews, a college professor at a seminary in the Midwest United States. It is a daily affirmation and for me the Truth I want to "attract" or live by in my own life.
I often recite it out loud, a proclamation to all of creation and myself, of decisions I make for this time...this day. Sometimes, I come back and look up specific references that are cited and delve deeper into a particular Truth.
And so, here's Dr. Matthews "The Daily Affirmation of Faith:"
Today I deliberately choose to submit myself fully to God as He has made Himself known to me through the Holy Scriptures which I honestly accept as the only inspired, infallible, authoritative standard for all of life and practice. In this day I will not judge God, His work, myself or others on the basis of feelings or circumstances.
In particular--I recognize by faith:
1. That the triune God is worthy of all honor, praise, and worship as the Creator, Sustainer, and End of all things. As my Creator I confess that God made me for Himself. In this day I therefore choose to live for Him (Rev. 5:9,10; Isa. 43:1, 7, 21; Rev. 4:11).
2. That God loved me and chose me in Christ before time began (Eph. 1:1-7).
3. That God has proven His love to me in sending His Son to die in my place, whereby every provision has already been made for my past, present, and future needs through His representative work whereby I have been quickened, raised, seated with Christ in the heavenlies and anointed with the Holy Spirit (Rom. 5:6-11; 8:28-39; Phil. 1:6; 4:6, 7, 13, 19; Eph. 1:3; 2:5, 6; Acts 2:1-4, 33).
4. That since I have received Christ as my Lord and Savior, I believe God's Word that He has received me (Jn. 1:12; Eph. 1:6); forgiven me (Eph. 1:7); adopted me into His family whereby He has assumed every responsibility for me (Jn. 17:11, 17, 21, 24; Eph. 1:5; Phil. 1:6); given to me eternal life (Jn. 3:36, I Jn. 5:9-13), applied Christ's perfect righteousness to me whereby I am justified (Rom. 5:1); has made me complete in Christ (Col. 2:10); that He offers Himself to me as my daily sufficiency through prayer and the decisions of faith (I Cor. 1:30; Col. 1:27 Gal. 2:20; Jn. 14:13, 14; Matt. 21:22; Rom. 6:1-19, Heb. 4:1-3, 11); and that the Holy Spirit Himself has baptized me into the Body of Christ (I Cor. 12:13); sealed me (Eph. 1:13,14); anointed me for life and service (Acts 1:8; Jn. 7:37-39); seeks to lead me into a deeper walk with Christ (Jn. 14:16-18; 15:26, 27; 16:13-15; Rom. 8:11-16), and to fill my life with Himself (Eph. 5:18). I accept these truths as realities in my life today.
5. That only God can deal with sin and only God can produce holiness of life. I confess that in my salvation my part was only to receive Him and that He dealt with my sin and saved me. Now I confess that in order to live a holy life, I can only surrender to His will and receive Him as my sanctification, trusting Him to do that glorious work within whereby I may be enabled to live today in purity, freedom, rest, and power for His glory (Jn. 1:12; I Cor. 1:30; II Cor. 9:8; Gal. 2:20; Heb. 4:9; I Jn. 5:4; Jude 24).
Having confessed that God is worthy of all praise, that the Scriptures are the only authoritative standard, that only God can deal with sin and produce holiness of life, I again recognize my total dependence upon Him and submission to Him. I accept the truth that praying in faith is absolutely necessary for the realization of the will and grace of God in my daily life of sanctification (I Jn. 5:14,15, James 2:6, 4:2, 3, 5:1618; Phil. 4:6, 7; Heb. 4:1-3; 11:6, 24-28).
Recognizing that faith is a total response to God whereby the daily provisions which the Lord has provided in Himself are appropriated, I THEREFORE MAKE THE FOLLOWING DECISIONS OF FAITH.
1. For this day (Heb. 3:7,13,15; 4:7) I make the decision of faith to wholly surrender to the authority of God as He has revealed Himself in the Scriptures --TO OBEY HIM. I hereby confess my sin, face the sinful reality of my old nature [flesh] and deliberately choose to walk in the light, in step with Christ, throughout the hours of this day (Rom. 6:16-20; Phil. 2:12-13; I John 1:7,9).
2. For this day I make the decision of faith to wholly surrender to the authority of God as revealed in the Scriptures--TO BELIEVE HIM. I accept only His Word as final authority. I now believe that since I have confessed my sin He has forgiven and cleansed me (I John 1:9). I accept His Word of promise, to be my sufficiency and rest, at full value and will conduct myself accordingly (Exod. 33:14; I Cor. 1:30; II Cor. 9:8; Phil. 4:19).
3. For this day I make the decision of faith to recognize that God has made every necessary provision so that I may fulfill His will and calling. Therefore I will not make any excuse for my sin and failure (I Thess. 5:24).
4. For this day I make the decision of faith to deliberately receive from God that provision which He has made for me. I hereby renounce all self-effort to live the Christian life and to perform God's service; renounce all sinful activity which only weeps over sin and failure; renounce all sinful praying which asks God to change circumstances and people so that I may be more spiritual; renounce all drawing back from the work of the Holy Spirit within and the call of God without, and renounce all non-Biblical motives, goals, and activities which serve my sinful pride.
a. I sincerely receive Christ as my sanctification, particularly now as my cleansing from the old nature [flesh], and ask the Holy Spirit to apply to me the work Christ accomplished for me on the Cross. In cooperation and dependence upon Him, I obey the command to "put off [the conduct of] the old man" (Rom. 6:1-14, I Cor. 1:30; Gal. 6:14; Eph. 4:22).
b. I sincerely receive Christ as my sanctification, particularly now as my enablement moment by moment to live above sin, and ask the Holy Spirit to apply to me the work of the Resurrection so that I may walk in newness of life. I confess that only God can deal with my sin and only God can produce holiness and the fruit of the Spirit in my life. In cooperation and dependence upon Him, I obey the command to "put on [the conduct of] the new man" (Rom. 6:1-4; Eph. 4:24).
c. I sincerely receive Christ as my deliverance from Satan and take my position with Him in the heavenlies asking the Holy Spirit to apply to me the work of the Ascension. In His Name I submit myself to God and stand against all Satanic influence and subtilty. In cooperation with and dependence upon God, I obey the command to "resist the Devil" (Eph.1:20-23;2:5,6;4:27; 6:10-18; Col. 1:13; Heb. 2:14,16; James 4:7; I Pet. 5:8,9).
d. I sincerely receive the Holy Spirit as my anointing for every aspect of life and service for today. I fully open my life to Him to fill me afresh in obedience to the command to "be filled with the Holy Spirit" (Eph. 5:18; John 7:37-39;14:17,26;15:26, 27;16:7-15; Acts 1:8).
Having made this confession and these decisions of faith, I now receive God's promised rest for this day (Heb. 4:1-13). Having sincerely attempted to do my part, I now assume the rest of faith that God will do His part. Therefore, I relax in the trust of faith knowing that in the moment of temptation, trial, or need, the Lord will be there as my strength and sufficiency (I Cor. 10:13).
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