Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:18 NIV)
At a country church, the Pastor always opened prayer with an expression of gratitude and thanks to God. Then one Sunday, there came a terrible winter storm. There was a foot of snow on the ground and a freezing wind blowing from the north. Due to the horrible conditions, few of the congregation showed up for church. Those that were there were anxious and wondering how the Pastor could be thankful this time. The Pastor approached the pulpit and began his prayer with, “Father God, thank you for this day, and thankfully it is not always like this.”
In the United States we are celebrating Thanksgiving. A time when we look back at the past year with fond memories, remembering to give thanks for the life that we have. It is also a time to look back at the struggles, and to see how we were delivered through those struggles with God’s help.
The pilgrims celebrated the first Thanksgiving, following a harsh winter and raids from the natives. After befriending another tribe, they were taught how to survive the surroundings and the climate. While they struggled, they still found time to thank God for His divine providence.
We need to realize when giving thanks to God, it is not something that we should do as an afterthought. The phrase given here is “in all circumstances.” It does not say, “after the circumstances,” nor does it say, “before the circumstances.” We are to give thanks while we are experiencing the circumstances. Good, bad, or indifferent.
While we find it generally easier to thank God during the good times and the normal times, it is far more difficult to thank Him during our struggles. Yet, it is through our struggles that we grow. We grow stronger spiritually, and we grow closer to God. The Holy Scriptures even tell us to be joyful when we go through trials. “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.” (James 1:2,3,12 NIV)
The ability to give thanks in all circumstances was taught to the pilgrims by one of their leaders. William Bradford wrote in his journal, “Being thus arived in a good harbor and brought safe to land, they fell upon their knees & blessed ye God of heaven, who had brought them over ye vast & furious ocean, and delivered them from all ye periles & miseries therof . . . What could not sustaine them but ye spirite of God & his grace?” (http://www.pilgrimhall.org/bradfordjournalarrival.htm) Bradford is one who wrote from experience. While traveling across the Atlantic on the Mayflower, his wife fell overboard and died. He personally knew of God’s sustaining grace during the times of struggles.
It is customary to look back at all the good times and thank God for all the blessings that we have received. Let us not forget to look back at our trials and thank God for the deliverance the He gave us. It is through our trials that we learn to lean on God and grow in strength. Thanksgiving is more than a holiday family dinner. Thanksgiving is more than a proper noun. Thanksgiving is a verb. It is something that we must do. It is always appropriate to give thanks to God.
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Thursday, November 06, 2008
Obama's President . . . Now What?
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.” (John 14:1)
The election is over and Obama is President. Now what? As a believer in Christ, what should I and every other Christian do? What should we believe?
Is Obama the AntiChrist (as many e-mails have erroneously suggested)? Will the ultra liberal left wing political faction run rampant, unchecked to pass all their agendas? Will churches be forced to to perform homosexual marriages? Will the pro choice movement get looser abortion laws passed so that any woman seeking an abortion can attain one, even after the fetus has reached 12 years in age? What will the next four years be like for the United States?
It has been said "For a nation to get on it's feet, it must first get on it's knees." All throughout history, God has rewarded nations that favored Him, and destroyed nations that turned their back on Him. In the book of Judges, a theme that was repeated is, "In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes." When a nation strayed from God, they were punished by either God himself (as in the case with Egypt) or the nation was punished by outside sources (Israel and Judah by means of Assyria and Babylon). Each time a calamity would strike down upon Israel, a cry was heard from the people, "What have we done against God." They would then repent and turn back to God. Until God's patience ran out and they went into captivity.
Right now, the United States is not at that point (repentance, not sure about God's patience though). Whenever a calamity has been brought against the United States, the response is, "Why would God allow this to happen to us, we have done nothing wrong." Again, repeating the refrain, "We are doing right and good." Then we wonder why another tragedy befalls us.
What must we do to help the situation that we have found ourselves in.
We must get on our knees and pray fervently for deliverance and forgiveness for the sins of the nation. Also we must pray for our leaders, even if we don't agree with their politics. “First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. (1 Timothy 2:1,2 NASB emphasis mine) Pray that they will seek God's wisdom, but above all, pray that God's will is done.
The believer must also preach louder and harder, "See that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son." (Hebrews 12:16 NIV)
We must continue to live the life that God has called us to live, we must be obedient to what God has commanded us to do. "Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men. Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God. Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king." (1 Peter 2:13-17 NIV)
Finally, we must not give up nor become downcast for the “bleak” future. As Jesus said, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.” (John 14:1). We must not be troubled by these events. We must put our trust in God and know that He is in control.
God raised many ungodly leaders for Israel and Judah to recognize their sin. When their sin became apparent through the actions of it's leaders, they repented. Will this be a wake up call for the believers and for the nation, or will we (the nation) continue to live in ignorance to all the things that are going on?
The election is over and Obama is President. Now what? As a believer in Christ, what should I and every other Christian do? What should we believe?
Is Obama the AntiChrist (as many e-mails have erroneously suggested)? Will the ultra liberal left wing political faction run rampant, unchecked to pass all their agendas? Will churches be forced to to perform homosexual marriages? Will the pro choice movement get looser abortion laws passed so that any woman seeking an abortion can attain one, even after the fetus has reached 12 years in age? What will the next four years be like for the United States?
It has been said "For a nation to get on it's feet, it must first get on it's knees." All throughout history, God has rewarded nations that favored Him, and destroyed nations that turned their back on Him. In the book of Judges, a theme that was repeated is, "In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes." When a nation strayed from God, they were punished by either God himself (as in the case with Egypt) or the nation was punished by outside sources (Israel and Judah by means of Assyria and Babylon). Each time a calamity would strike down upon Israel, a cry was heard from the people, "What have we done against God." They would then repent and turn back to God. Until God's patience ran out and they went into captivity.
Right now, the United States is not at that point (repentance, not sure about God's patience though). Whenever a calamity has been brought against the United States, the response is, "Why would God allow this to happen to us, we have done nothing wrong." Again, repeating the refrain, "We are doing right and good." Then we wonder why another tragedy befalls us.
What must we do to help the situation that we have found ourselves in.
We must get on our knees and pray fervently for deliverance and forgiveness for the sins of the nation. Also we must pray for our leaders, even if we don't agree with their politics. “First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. (1 Timothy 2:1,2 NASB emphasis mine) Pray that they will seek God's wisdom, but above all, pray that God's will is done.
The believer must also preach louder and harder, "See that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son." (Hebrews 12:16 NIV)
We must continue to live the life that God has called us to live, we must be obedient to what God has commanded us to do. "Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men. Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God. Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king." (1 Peter 2:13-17 NIV)
Finally, we must not give up nor become downcast for the “bleak” future. As Jesus said, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.” (John 14:1). We must not be troubled by these events. We must put our trust in God and know that He is in control.
God raised many ungodly leaders for Israel and Judah to recognize their sin. When their sin became apparent through the actions of it's leaders, they repented. Will this be a wake up call for the believers and for the nation, or will we (the nation) continue to live in ignorance to all the things that are going on?
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
Mything the Facts
Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the
immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and
reptiles. (Romans 1:22,23 NIV)
“Education based on fact, not myth” Christopher Renner candidate for Kansas State
Board of Education.
In 2004 the Kansas Board of Education adopted a science standard that included criticism to the teaching of evolution. It allowed for discussion of other alternative manners in which the creation of the world and mankind came into existence. It did not remove the teaching of evolution and promote the teaching of intelligent design and creationism. It allowed the teacher to include alternative methods for the creation of the universe including evolution, the big bang theory, intelligent design and creationism. But, as Christopher Renner pointed out, we need education based on fact, not on myth. So, let’s separate the fact from the myths.
Myth #1: Theory of Evolution is a fact.
Fact: How is the word theory defined in the dictionary? A proposed explanation whose status is still conjectural, in contrast to well-established propositions that are regarded as reporting matters of actual fact, guess conjecture. The theory of evolution is not a fact and is considered by many scientists to be merely a conjecture. Without a definitive link between humankind and apes, it can only be classified as conjecture. So what are these “educators” afraid of when allowing alternative methods to be discussed? Isn’t that the purpose of science anyway? To discuss viable alternatives and solutions to a problem. To only allow one view to be presented promotes and encourages lemming like thinking and narrow mindedness.
Myth #2: Top scientists accept evolution as fact.
Fact: Never mind the fact that the bulk of pre 20th century scientists were Christian ie Copernicus, Galileo, Isaac Newton (who wrote more articles and books on Christianity than he did on gravity). Look at the 20th century scientists. Over 80% of the Nobel prize winners in Physics, Chemistry and Physiology or Medicine have extensive Christian backgrounds and have defended their beliefs.
A poll conducted in 1980 amongst biologists with Masters or higher, 72% believed evolution to be a fact. In 2000, the same poll showed that 47% of the same group believed evolution to be a fact. When it comes to the power of the universe, Isaac Newton summed it up best, “Gravity explains the motions of the planets, but it cannot explain who set the planets in motion. God governs all things and knows all that is or can
be done.”
Myth #3: Since all humans came from apes, all humans are equal.
Fact: Darwin was a racist. Consider the subtitle to Charles Darwin’s The Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection. The subtitle is: The Preservation of Favored Races in the Struggle for Life. “Favored Races?” What can he be referring to with this statement? The answer is found in his work, Descent of Man, “At some future period, not very distant as measured by centuries, the civilized races of man will almost certainly exterminate, and replace, the savage races throughout the world. At the same time the anthropomorphous apes, Professor Schaaffhausen has remarked, will no doubt be exterminated. The break between man and his nearest allies will then be wider, for it will intervene between man in a more civilized state, as we may hope, even than the Caucasian, and some ape as low as a baboon, instead of as now between the negro or the Australian and the gorilla.” (Descent of Man, Chapter Six: On the Affinities and Genealogy of Man, On the Birthplace and Antiquity of Man). Darwin taught the inferiority of certain humans, specifically the dark skinned humans of the Afrikaners and the Australian Aborigines. Why is this teaching overlooked by those who support evolution? One thing I learned in middle school dealt with true/false statements. In order for the statement to be true, it must all be true, if one part is false, then it is all false. Which is it then for the evolutionists: Are we created equal by our Creator as the Declaration of Independence states, or did we evolve into separate superior/inferior races as Darwin proposes. (I often wonder if Hitler read this work and gleaned his general idea of “exterminating” the Jewish people from it.)
Myth #4: Darwin accepted his teachings as fact.
Fact: Darwin even wrote that he was unsure of the validity and truth about his theory. In chapter 10 of the Origin of Speicies (the Imperfection of the Geological Record) he wrote, “So, that the number of intermediate and transitional links between all living and extinct species, must have been inconceivably great. But assuredly, if this theory be true, such have lived upon the earth.” He even wrote “if” this theory is true. Even he acknowledged that what he wrote is not true, but by the outside chance that his theory is true, then we would find these “missing links” because they would have lived on the earth. If he knew it wasn’t true, then why teach evolution as truth. All throughout the Origin of Species, Darwin used the qualifying disclaimer “if” signifying his uncertainty to what he wrote as fact.
I do agree with Christopher Renner that we do need an education system that is based on facts and not myths. The truth must be taught. “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:32 NIV)
Just so you know, I do believe in evolution. . . just not Darwins evolution.
Geoff Moore and the Distance - Evolution: Redefined.
immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and
reptiles. (Romans 1:22,23 NIV)
“Education based on fact, not myth” Christopher Renner candidate for Kansas State
Board of Education.
In 2004 the Kansas Board of Education adopted a science standard that included criticism to the teaching of evolution. It allowed for discussion of other alternative manners in which the creation of the world and mankind came into existence. It did not remove the teaching of evolution and promote the teaching of intelligent design and creationism. It allowed the teacher to include alternative methods for the creation of the universe including evolution, the big bang theory, intelligent design and creationism. But, as Christopher Renner pointed out, we need education based on fact, not on myth. So, let’s separate the fact from the myths.
Myth #1: Theory of Evolution is a fact.
Fact: How is the word theory defined in the dictionary? A proposed explanation whose status is still conjectural, in contrast to well-established propositions that are regarded as reporting matters of actual fact, guess conjecture. The theory of evolution is not a fact and is considered by many scientists to be merely a conjecture. Without a definitive link between humankind and apes, it can only be classified as conjecture. So what are these “educators” afraid of when allowing alternative methods to be discussed? Isn’t that the purpose of science anyway? To discuss viable alternatives and solutions to a problem. To only allow one view to be presented promotes and encourages lemming like thinking and narrow mindedness.
Myth #2: Top scientists accept evolution as fact.
Fact: Never mind the fact that the bulk of pre 20th century scientists were Christian ie Copernicus, Galileo, Isaac Newton (who wrote more articles and books on Christianity than he did on gravity). Look at the 20th century scientists. Over 80% of the Nobel prize winners in Physics, Chemistry and Physiology or Medicine have extensive Christian backgrounds and have defended their beliefs.
A poll conducted in 1980 amongst biologists with Masters or higher, 72% believed evolution to be a fact. In 2000, the same poll showed that 47% of the same group believed evolution to be a fact. When it comes to the power of the universe, Isaac Newton summed it up best, “Gravity explains the motions of the planets, but it cannot explain who set the planets in motion. God governs all things and knows all that is or can
be done.”
Myth #3: Since all humans came from apes, all humans are equal.
Fact: Darwin was a racist. Consider the subtitle to Charles Darwin’s The Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection. The subtitle is: The Preservation of Favored Races in the Struggle for Life. “Favored Races?” What can he be referring to with this statement? The answer is found in his work, Descent of Man, “At some future period, not very distant as measured by centuries, the civilized races of man will almost certainly exterminate, and replace, the savage races throughout the world. At the same time the anthropomorphous apes, Professor Schaaffhausen has remarked, will no doubt be exterminated. The break between man and his nearest allies will then be wider, for it will intervene between man in a more civilized state, as we may hope, even than the Caucasian, and some ape as low as a baboon, instead of as now between the negro or the Australian and the gorilla.” (Descent of Man, Chapter Six: On the Affinities and Genealogy of Man, On the Birthplace and Antiquity of Man). Darwin taught the inferiority of certain humans, specifically the dark skinned humans of the Afrikaners and the Australian Aborigines. Why is this teaching overlooked by those who support evolution? One thing I learned in middle school dealt with true/false statements. In order for the statement to be true, it must all be true, if one part is false, then it is all false. Which is it then for the evolutionists: Are we created equal by our Creator as the Declaration of Independence states, or did we evolve into separate superior/inferior races as Darwin proposes. (I often wonder if Hitler read this work and gleaned his general idea of “exterminating” the Jewish people from it.)
Myth #4: Darwin accepted his teachings as fact.
Fact: Darwin even wrote that he was unsure of the validity and truth about his theory. In chapter 10 of the Origin of Speicies (the Imperfection of the Geological Record) he wrote, “So, that the number of intermediate and transitional links between all living and extinct species, must have been inconceivably great. But assuredly, if this theory be true, such have lived upon the earth.” He even wrote “if” this theory is true. Even he acknowledged that what he wrote is not true, but by the outside chance that his theory is true, then we would find these “missing links” because they would have lived on the earth. If he knew it wasn’t true, then why teach evolution as truth. All throughout the Origin of Species, Darwin used the qualifying disclaimer “if” signifying his uncertainty to what he wrote as fact.
I do agree with Christopher Renner that we do need an education system that is based on facts and not myths. The truth must be taught. “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:32 NIV)
Just so you know, I do believe in evolution. . . just not Darwins evolution.
Geoff Moore and the Distance - Evolution: Redefined.
Sunday, November 02, 2008
. . . So Goes the Nation
“Then if they will really learn the ways of My people, to swear by My name, 'As the LORD lives,' even as they taught My people to swear by Baal, they will be built up in the midst of My people. But if they will not listen, then I will uproot that nation, uproot and destroy it," declares the LORD. (Jeremiah 12:16,17 NASB)
In those days there was no king in Israel; every man did what was right in his own eyes. (Judges 17:6 NASB)
How does one destroy a nation? The destruction does not come from weapons, it does not come from economics, and it does not come from any outside source. The destruction of a nation comes from within and it begins with the removal of morality.
In 1919 the Communist Strategy for Revolution was captured in Düsseldorf, Germany. The very first plank of that strategy states: A. Corrupt the young. Get them away from religion. Get them interested in sex. Make them superficial; destroy their ruggedness.
The first step listed is not invasion, it is not economically, it is not through disease. The first step listed is a subtle attack, yet the most dangerous attack, it is the attack on the youth. Not a physical attack, but a psychological attack. Corrupt the young.
How does one corrupt the young? The answer is found in the next sentence, get them away from religion. Teach them that there is no such thing as a religion, it's all myth. (Which is the topic for my next entry). Get them interested in superficial things i.e. sex. Teach them that if it makes them happy, then it is OK to do. Teach them ego centrism that it's all about themselves. If something interferes in their life, then get rid of it. Remove their moral compass and watch the nation disintegrate from within.
In the United States there is a movement to destroy the moral foundation, by corrupting the young. While many naïve people believe that sex education is being taught in the High Schools, a recent study showed otherwise. 70% of the public schools today teach sex education in 7th grade. 20% of the public schools teach sex education to 5th graders. 90% of the public sex education is taught to children that are 13 years old and younger! And it's not abstinence that is being taught. 82% of the sex education classes taught, teach safe sex: Before you undress your Venus, dress your penis is the motto. These are children that are now finding out the thing they urinate with has another purpose, and there is no moral ramification if they use it in that manner. Most of these children haven't begun puberty or are just hitting puberty. With raging hormones, unsure of what to do with themselves, they now have been taught what to do with that. And they have been taught, not to worry about the consequences. There are ways of dealing with any “problem” that may arise.
It's not just sex education that is being taught at an early age. First graders and younger are being bombarded with a twist on a classic children's stories: See Spot, Dick and Jane has now become: See Dick and Dick or See Jane and Jane. One father in Massachusetts objected to his kindergarten son being taught the “normalcy” of homosexuality and went to court. The court told the father there is nothing morally wrong with homosexuality and if he didn't like it, he can homeschool his child (except in California).
The human courts have decided that they are the judges not only over the laws, but they also are the judges over moral laws. (Which is interesting because it's the ACLU's mantra that you can not legislate morality . . so which is it either we can or we can not legislate morality) Who established the moral laws? It wasn't the United States court system, nor was it the European court system. The moral laws were established on a mountain, written by God's own hand and given to the world through a prophet with a speech impediment. Regardless of what man has to say about it, if God calls it a sin, then it's a sin. If God calls it an abomination, then it's an abomination.
All throughout history, when a nation turns its back on God, God uproots it and destroys it. Israel, Judah, Rome. None are of the same prominence as they once were. Israel is the chosen nation, blessed by God. Yet, they turned from God and was destroyed. When will God's patience run out with America, a nation that was founded on the ideals of Christianity. A nation that put God first for the first 150 years. Now a nation that thinks murdering babies for choice is all right. A nation that places money above morality. A nation that no longer fears the Lord. A nation that will no longer exist unless we get right with God. “My concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God's side, for God is always right.” Abraham Lincoln
http://www.learn-usa.com/of_assistance/Stuter38.htm
http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=77373
In those days there was no king in Israel; every man did what was right in his own eyes. (Judges 17:6 NASB)
How does one destroy a nation? The destruction does not come from weapons, it does not come from economics, and it does not come from any outside source. The destruction of a nation comes from within and it begins with the removal of morality.
In 1919 the Communist Strategy for Revolution was captured in Düsseldorf, Germany. The very first plank of that strategy states: A. Corrupt the young. Get them away from religion. Get them interested in sex. Make them superficial; destroy their ruggedness.
The first step listed is not invasion, it is not economically, it is not through disease. The first step listed is a subtle attack, yet the most dangerous attack, it is the attack on the youth. Not a physical attack, but a psychological attack. Corrupt the young.
How does one corrupt the young? The answer is found in the next sentence, get them away from religion. Teach them that there is no such thing as a religion, it's all myth. (Which is the topic for my next entry). Get them interested in superficial things i.e. sex. Teach them that if it makes them happy, then it is OK to do. Teach them ego centrism that it's all about themselves. If something interferes in their life, then get rid of it. Remove their moral compass and watch the nation disintegrate from within.
In the United States there is a movement to destroy the moral foundation, by corrupting the young. While many naïve people believe that sex education is being taught in the High Schools, a recent study showed otherwise. 70% of the public schools today teach sex education in 7th grade. 20% of the public schools teach sex education to 5th graders. 90% of the public sex education is taught to children that are 13 years old and younger! And it's not abstinence that is being taught. 82% of the sex education classes taught, teach safe sex: Before you undress your Venus, dress your penis is the motto. These are children that are now finding out the thing they urinate with has another purpose, and there is no moral ramification if they use it in that manner. Most of these children haven't begun puberty or are just hitting puberty. With raging hormones, unsure of what to do with themselves, they now have been taught what to do with that. And they have been taught, not to worry about the consequences. There are ways of dealing with any “problem” that may arise.
It's not just sex education that is being taught at an early age. First graders and younger are being bombarded with a twist on a classic children's stories: See Spot, Dick and Jane has now become: See Dick and Dick or See Jane and Jane. One father in Massachusetts objected to his kindergarten son being taught the “normalcy” of homosexuality and went to court. The court told the father there is nothing morally wrong with homosexuality and if he didn't like it, he can homeschool his child (except in California).
The human courts have decided that they are the judges not only over the laws, but they also are the judges over moral laws. (Which is interesting because it's the ACLU's mantra that you can not legislate morality . . so which is it either we can or we can not legislate morality) Who established the moral laws? It wasn't the United States court system, nor was it the European court system. The moral laws were established on a mountain, written by God's own hand and given to the world through a prophet with a speech impediment. Regardless of what man has to say about it, if God calls it a sin, then it's a sin. If God calls it an abomination, then it's an abomination.
All throughout history, when a nation turns its back on God, God uproots it and destroys it. Israel, Judah, Rome. None are of the same prominence as they once were. Israel is the chosen nation, blessed by God. Yet, they turned from God and was destroyed. When will God's patience run out with America, a nation that was founded on the ideals of Christianity. A nation that put God first for the first 150 years. Now a nation that thinks murdering babies for choice is all right. A nation that places money above morality. A nation that no longer fears the Lord. A nation that will no longer exist unless we get right with God. “My concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God's side, for God is always right.” Abraham Lincoln
http://www.learn-usa.com/of_assistance/Stuter38.htm
http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=77373
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