Category: Faithfulness

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Winners!

Yesterday a lot of people watched two teams of athletes compete in a football game. To be honest, I only watched a little bit. I’m not a fan but I do know the rules of the game. I also know the rules to the game of life.

“Athletes in a race must obey all the rules to win. ” II Timothy 2:5 CEV

The Apostle Paul compared an athlete to the Christians he instructed. They were familiar with the Olympic games. They had been schooled in athletic achievements in the same way that they had learned the writings of Homer, Socrates, and Aristotle. These converts were unfamiliar with the writings of Moses, King David, Isaiah and the prophets so the Apostle Paul needed to reach them in a relatable way. Athletics was a good choice.

Like the soldier from yesterday’s blog, an athlete also had to be thoroughly trained and disciplined.

Our family has some runners. Their dedication amazes me. They begin training months in advance of a competition. Their conditioning is progressive. They start with short training runs and gradually increase their distance. This builds muscle and develops stamina.

They are also conscious of what they eat and drink. Plenty of water and foods that the body can use to build muscle and burn fat. Days off are few and far between when they are training. In one word, they are dedicated…

I remember when our oldest daughter was competing in her first Ironman 70.3. We were there to cheer her on. The competition started with a 2.2-mile open water swim, followed by a 55-mile bike ride in the hills of her community and ended with a 13.1-mile run. When she passed us at one checkpoint during the bike portion, we could tell she was struggling. Her Dad called to her “We don’t quit. Keep going. You have got this”. She said those were the words she heard in her head for the next 30 miles as she peddled along. She had mechanical problems and some physical issues that she had to battle through but battle through she did. We were all there as she crossed the finish line. She was exhausted but exhilarated. She had finished the race!

We are also surrounded by a great cheering squad, it’s those who have died and are waiting in heaven. They cheer us on as we run this race called the Christian life.

“Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we’d better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we are in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!” Hebrews 12:1-3 MSG

Our example is Jesus.

He experienced all the temptations and trials that we do. He did this so He could identify with us and show us that with God’s help we can be victorious like He was. He ran the race He was called to run. He was able to endure life’s hardships because He could see the finish line and the celebration there.

His life is our example and inspiration. The Holy Spirit is our trainer and coach. The heavenly Father is waiting to award us the Crown of Life and we will hear Him say “Well done” when we cross the finish line.

We are winners! Don’t Quit!

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Basic Training

Over the past several weeks I have shared with you teachings on who we are in Christ. The lessons we learn are like a spiritual “boot camp”.

“You have often heard me teach. Now I want you to tell these same things to followers who can be trusted to tell others. 3 As a good soldier of Christ Jesus you must endure your share of suffering. 4 A soldier wants to please his commanding officer, so he does not spend any time on activities that are not a part of his duty.” II Timothy 2:2-4 CEV

There are two major characteristics of a good soldier, discipline and obedience. The skills of marksmanship, navigation, physical endurance, and technical savvy can all be learned but without discipline and obedience those skills will fail.

A good soldier learns to follow orders as soon as they get to boot camp. This is the foundation for all their other training. A soldier must be willing to listen and obey or they could lose their life or the lives of their squadron.

Life for a recruit centers on discipline. They are told when to get up and go to bed, when to eat and what to eat, when to run and how far. It is a time of training. The orders are just that, they aren’t suggestions, recommendations, or choices. This is training!

Jesus was approached by a Roman officer, a soldier, who asked for his servant be healed. This story is an example for us to follow.

“When Jesus was going into the town of Capernaum, an army officer came up to him and said, 6 ‘Lord, my servant is at home in such terrible pain that he can’t even move.’

7 ‘I will go and heal him,’ Jesus replied.

8 But the officer said, ‘Lord, I’m not good enough for you to come into my house. Just give the order, and my servant will get well. 9 I have officers who give orders to me, and I have soldiers who take orders from me. I can say to one of them, ‘Go!’ and he goes. I can say to another, ‘Come!’ and he comes. I can say to my servant, ‘Do this!’ and he will do it.’

10 When Jesus heard this, he was so surprised…13 Then Jesus said to the officer, ‘You may go home now. Your faith has made it happen.’ Right then his servant was healed.” Matthew 8:5-13 CEV

Jesus was amazed by this officer’s understanding of orders. He recognized that Jesus had authority over sickness and all He needed to do was speak the command and it would be done. This Roman captain of the guard had complete faith in the authority of a directive issued by the Son of God.

We have a book filled with the “words of God”. The Bible was written for our benefit. It provides us with all we need to thoroughly furnished for every good work. (IITimothy 3:17)

Good soldiers obey the words spoken by their commanding officer. We should obediently follow the words Jesus has given us to live by.

“You have words that give life that lasts forever. 69 We believe and know You are the Christ. You are the Son of the Living God.” John 6:68-69 NLV

The discipline and training we receive from God’s word are for our good.

“God always makes it possible for Christ to lead us to victory” II Corinthians 2:14 CEV

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Made in Heaven

The last couple of days I have taken our morning thoughts from Ephesians, chapter 5. This is the Apostle Paul’s teaching on marriage. The marriage union is God’s idea; He wanted each of us to experience the joy of companionshipship and sacrifical love.

However, we find that Paul is using our earthly marriage as an example of the relationship that Christ desires to have with us.

A match made in heaven!

“In the same way, husbands ought to love their wives as they love their own bodies. For a man who loves his wife actually shows love for himself. 29 No one hates his own body but feeds and cares* for it, just as Christ cares for the church. 30 And we are members of his body.” Ephesians 5:28-30 NLT (*cherishes)

Christ loves for us is deeper than we can imagine!

It’s amazing when we realize that Jesus took on our sin to give us His righteousness. He made us completely new creatures; we are given a new life because He was willing to die for us.

“But if you join yourself to the Lord, you are one with Him in spirit.” I Corinthians 6:17 NLV

Cherish is a word that means to hold dear, to protect, to cling to. Jesus cherishes us, we are His wife. This truth can and will dispel every feeling of depression and inferiority that we encounter.

We are the chosen wife of Jesus Christ.

“As the Scriptures say, ‘A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.’ 32 This is a great mystery, but it is an illustration of the way Christ and the church are one.” Verses 31-32 NLT

Marriage is a two-way street.

Jesus left His Father to come to earth and oversee all the marriage arrangements. His number one priority was to see that his new wife would be abundantly provided for in every area of her life. We, as His wife, give up any past attachments that would distract us and keep us from being completely committed to Him.

This is God’s plan concerning Christ and the church.

Jesus is our loving husband. He has done all to fill our lives with His love. He desires to provide the absolute best for us, He will overlook our short comings, and forgive us when we fail. He won’t remind us of our past but instead provides us with a glorious future. He sees us as His bride.

“Bride of the king, listen carefully to me. Forget your own people and your father’s family. 11 The king is your husband, so do what he desires…Your bride, my king, has inward beauty, and her wedding gown is woven with threads of gold. 14 Wearing the finest garments, she is brought to you, followed by her young friends, the bridesmaids. 15 Everyone is excited, as they follow you to the royal palace.”  Psalm 45:10-15 CEV

Christ came to earth to declare His love for us. He gave His all to provide us with a new and better life. His love is unconditional and eternal. Our part is to accept His proposal of new life and be joined to Him.

Truly, a match made in heaven!

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Something’s Missing

I used to imagine myself dressed in the armor of a knight. I saw myself going out to fight some giant or fierce dragon only to discover that I had forgotten part of my armor. I would have the helmet, the sword, and the leggings but I was missing my breastplate. I had nothing to protect my vital organs.

One day I was reading in Ephesians. In the last chapter of that book Paul gives a list of the armor that God has given us. There was a verse I had been missing. It all but jumped off the page at me.

“Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. 15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.” Ephesians 6:13-15 NLT

That was it! I was missing my body armor. Another translation of this verse calls it the “breastplate of righteousness”. I had never considered myself righteous – Jesus is the one who is righteous. Righteous means that we are in right standing with God; so much of my life I wonder if I was good enough for God to love me.  I wasn’t alone.

For years Christians have been duped into thinking of themselves as second rate or lower-class citizens. I certainly had. This is completely contrary to God’s view of His children.

 “When anyone is in Christ, it is a whole new world. The old things are gone; suddenly, everything is new! 18 All this is from God. Through Christ, God made peace between himself and us. And God gave us the work of bringing people into peace with him. 19 I mean that God was in Christ, making peace between the world and himself. In Christ, God did not hold people guilty for their sins. And he gave us this message of peace to tell people. 20 So we have been sent to speak for Christ. It is like God is calling to people through us. We speak for Christ when we beg you to be at peace with God. 21 Christ had no sin, but God made him become sinso that in Christ we could be right with God.” II Corinthians 5:17-21 ERV

Oh, my goodness, did you read that? Our Father has made us new. He has placed us in right relationship with Himself. He is not holding us guilty for our sins because Christ took them and their penalty. Now He is asking us to tell others that they can be right with Him too.

This should remind us of the diamond cutter removing the dirt and crud that was encrusted around the precious stone. Cut away the sin and the Father’s right there polishing us, another facet is shining.

Since that day, I have never imagined myself without my body armor. I am righteous because Jesus took my sin making me right with God.

…We have been made righteous – we are “right with God” because of Jesus. Let’s show the world our true value and worth. We are bright, shiny, new because of Jesus!

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Beautiful & Useful

Recently our daughter was telling her dad and I the story of a couple vintage clocks she has in her home. One is a grandfather clock, with Westminster chime, that we had inherited from Dave’s grandfather. The other is antique mantel clock which her uncle had inherited upon his mother’s death.

Our daughter received our grandfather clock when we were moving from Idaho to Montana quite a few years ago and then she received the mantel clock from her uncle about five years ago. Both clocks had fallen into disrepair. Neither would chime correctly and so they sat silent.

Beautiful but not useful.

A while back she called a man who specializes in vintage and antique clock repair. He came to her home and examined each clock. He said they each needed a little love and a little adjustment. In about an hour both clocks were chiming correctly and keeping time.

Beautiful and useful!

As she told us the story she was in tears. She was so happy to have them working the way they were intended. He went on to tell her how to care for them properly and said they would continue to work for a long time without any further need for repair if she followed his instruction.

What they had needed was the touch of a master’s hand. There wasn’t anything hopelessly wrong with the mechanics of the clocks but without the knowledge to correctly adjust each one they would have remained silent.

Isn’t that the way it is with us? Through the stresses of life we either get wound too tightly or we ignore the important inner workings of our heart, our soul and we go silent or worse yet we chime at the wrong time and mislead those who hear us.

“In a large house there are things made of gold and silver. But there are also things made of wood and clay. Some of these are used for special purposes, others for ordinary jobs. 21 The Lord wants to use you for special purposes, so make yourself clean from all evil. Then you will be holy, and the Master can use you. You will be ready for any good work.

22 Stay away from the evil things a young person like you typically wants to do. Do your best to live right and to have faith, love, and peace, together with others who trust in the Lord with pure hearts. 23 Stay away from foolish and stupid arguments. You know that these arguments grow into bigger arguments. 24 As a servant of the Lord, you must not argue. You must be kind to everyone. You must be a good teacher, and you must be patient. 25 You must gently teach those who don’t agree with you. Maybe God will let them change their hearts so that they can accept the truth.” II Timothy 2:20-25 ERV

The Lord has chosen us to be useful for special purposes. The Master will clean our hearts, making us new and ready for good work. We also have a part in this process. We need to stay away from things that will stop us from being effective.

The clocks I told you about will be silenced once again if they don’t receive a loving touch every few days. Likewise, we need the Father’s touch on our lives continually so that faith, love and peace chime clearly for all to hear.

We can be beautiful and useful. Fit for the Master’s use.

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Enjoy the Journey

Right now Dave and I are getting ready to head out on another adventure. We’ve spent the last couple of days getting everything ready.

The camp site is reserved and the 5th-wheel is packed. I have double checked the list making sure I have all the food and clothing items we think we’ll need. Dave has completed his outside checklist; tires, generators, wood, extra fuel, vehicle maintenance, etc. We’ll be heading out this morning.

There’s an excitement that comes with preparation and even more once we arrive but to be honest I sometimes forget to enjoy the journey. Many times I am still working (on my computer or phone), making sure I have a everything done so that I can enjoy myself once we get there. Dave, on the other hand, takes it all in. “Look at this…did you see that”?

What a wake up call I got this morning when I heard the Lord whisper in my ear “Enjoy the journey, Kristi”.

And then…my thoughts went to Mary.

Did she enjoy the journey? She couldn’t have been all that comfortable; riding a donkey, camping along the way. Were her thoughts so consumed with the arrival at their destination and the arrival of her child that she lost sight of the wonder of the trip? None of us would have blamed her if she did.

“So Joseph left Nazareth, a town in Galilee, and went to the town of Bethlehem in Judea. It was known as the town of David. Joseph went there because he was from the family of David. 5 Joseph registered with Mary because she was engaged to marry him. (She was now pregnant.)” Luke 2:4-5 ERV

As a first-time mother, I imagine she kept all that was happening in her heart. I know I can still recall the last few days of my pregnancies. I remember going to Dairy Queen, grocery shopping, vacuuming the floors and watching Monday night football. It was all part of the journey, part of my childrens’ stories.

Mary had so much to take in. A road trip, a crowded city, searching for a place to stay, labor, the stable surrounding her, the support of Joseph, the birth, the Child and the words of the shepherds. Mary didn’t receive any special treatment; no one other than Mary and Joseph knew that her baby was the Messiah.

“So they went running and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the feeding box. 17 When they saw the baby, they told what the angels said about this child. 18 Everyone was surprised when they heard what the shepherds told them. 19 Mary continued to think about these things, trying to understand them.” Luke 2:16-19 ERV

Her journey wasn’t easy. The way was rough. Friends and family didn’t understand she was the virgin who would give birth to the Saviour. But she had started this journey by being obedient to the Lord and she would finish it with the same resolve.

Are we enjoying our journey or are we only focused on the final destination?

Each day the Lord lays a path before us. We can look at the beauty and opportunity in each day or we can complain about the distractions, interruptions and hardships. The choice is ours!

“My brothers and sisters, think of the various tests you encounter as occasions for joy. 3 After all, you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 Let this endurance complete its work so that you may be fully mature, complete, and lacking in nothing.” James 1:2-4 CEB

Let’s make sure we take time to enjoy our journey!

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Open A Gift Early

What do you think will be the best Christmas present you will receive this year? Is it something from your kids, grandkids or your spouse? What will bring the biggest smile to your face and the greatest warmth in your heart?

I was one of those kids who would take a sneak peak at some of the presents under our Christmas tree. I was able to lift the tape without tearing the paper and made sure that all the creases on the wrapping lined up perfectly before I placed it back in the exact spot under the tree. But I always felt guilty.

This year when packages started arriving one label read “Don’t open until December 25th”. Do you think they knew we might be tempted to open them early? Our youngest daughter gave us permission to open her gifts early and Dave happily complied.

Several years ago I began giving my morning readers a “gift” for each day of December. The following year I expanded on those writings and compiled an Advent Book, “The Best Gifts of Christmas”.

There are thirty-one short chapters, one for each day of the month. Each day focuses on a different gift that we have received from our heavenly Father. Each gift is wrapped in His love and has our name on the tag. Each gift is personalized, specifically designed just for us and yet each gift has universal appeal.

This morning I’d like to give you permission to open a gift early and you don’t even have to feel guilty.

It’s something you can enjoy every day of the year; there’s no expiration date. It won’t grow old or go out of style. This is something you can have for all time.

“This is the new agreement I will give the people of Israel. I will give this agreement in the future, says the Lord: I will put my laws in their minds, and I will write my laws on their hearts I will be their God, and they will be my people. 11 Never again will anyone have to teach their neighbors or their family to know the Lord. All people—the greatest and the least important—will know me. 12 And I will forgive the wrongs they have done,  and I will not remember their sins.” Hebrews 8:8-13 ERV

The Lord has put a desire in our hearts to know Him. There’s a drawing to have relationship with Him. This relationship is for everyone and yet it’s specific to each of us. He promises to forgive every wrong we’ve committed and once it’s forgiven He forgets it as well.

“Everything God says is true— and it’s a shield for all who come to him for safety.” Proverbs 30:5 CEV

Since everything God says is true then that means having our sins forgotten, forgiveness extended, and restoration belong to us! Thank you Lord for these wonderful gifts.

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Where There’s Peace

We’ve had the opportunity to live in a lot of beautiful country; wide open spaces with pastures of grazing cattle, majestic mountains in the background and the sky filled with clouds ready to blanket the earth with snow.

And there, I can sense the granduer and glory of God!

“For every animal among the trees is Mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills. 11 I know every bird of the mountains. And all things that move in the field are Mine.” Psalm 50:10-11 NLV

If God knows all of this, and He does, how much more does He know about us and care for us? He knows every time we get up and when we lay down. He sees us on our restless nights and when we sleep peacefully. Our Father knows when we work at a frenzied pace and when we rest, trusting Him to handle it all.

“I look at the heavens you made with your hands.
    I see the moon and the stars you created.
4 And I wonder, “Why are people so important to you?
    Why do you even think about them?
Why do you care so much about humans?
    Why do you even notice them?” Psalm 8:3-4 ERV

King David expresses what I have felt. “God, you have done so many great and wonderful things. Why do you care about me’? There is a real peace that comes from enjoying the beauty in nature. How many “meditation” videos have been made with soft music and scenes of nature’s beauty from around the world? All of creation tell of God’s glory and remind us we are not alone.

“The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship. 2 Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known. 3 They speak without a sound or word; their voice is never heard. 4 Yet their message has gone throughout the earth, and their words to all the world.” Psalm 19:1-4 NLV

Do you hear their message?

“I tell you not to worry about your life. Don’t worry about having something to eat, drink, or wear. Isn’t life more than food or clothing? 26 Look at the birds in the sky! They don’t plant or harvest. They don’t even store grain in barns. Yet your Father in heaven takes care of them. Aren’t you worth more than birds?” Matthew 6:25-26 CEV

Take a drive to the country; get out in nature. If you can’t do that, watch a YouTube video. Take time to view God’s handiwork and listen to the message it’s preaching. Every mountain, every flower, every cow, every bird, every sunset/sunrise, every wave on the shore are telling us to trust the Father and be at peace.

I’m so thankful for nature. It’s a reminder that He’s got the whole world in His hands!

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Where Do You Hang Your Hat

I got up this morning and headed to the front door to let in the cool morning air and there it was. The hat rack.

Dave made it a couple years ago so we would have a handy place to hang our coats and hats. I love it! There’s room for our big cowboy hats and also smaller hooks for the ball caps that we wear on our walks. It’s always full.

This morning as I opened the door I was reminded of the words of an old expression – not a Scripture, just as expression. “Now that’s something I can hang my hat on”. For those of you who have never heard it let me share the meaning.

When you can “hang your hat on” something it means it’s dependable, reliable, trustworthy and believable. i.e. They’re someone I can hang my hat on, they’ve never let me down.

As we start into November, the month of giving thanks, it’s important to evaluate what we can depend on. Where do we hang our hat?

“Forever, O Lord, Your Word will never change in heaven. 90 You are faithful to all people for all time. You have made the earth, and it stands. 91 They stand today by Your Law, for all things serve You. 92 I would have been lost in my troubles if Your Law had not been my joy. 93 I will never forget Your Word for by it You have given me new life. 94 I am Yours. Save me, for I have looked to Your Law. 95 The sinful wait to destroy me, but I will think about Your Word. 96 I have seen that all things have an end, even if they are perfect, but Your Word is without end.” Psalm 119:89-96 NLV

There is only ONE that I know to be completely faithful and trustworthy, that is God and His word. God’s word is the exact representation of Him in this world. If we want to know how He thinks we read His word. If we desire to see how the Father will act and respond we read His word. When we search for instruction and wisdom we find it all in His word. I am thankful for the infallible Word of God. It has stood the test of time. It will never pass away.

Years ago we used this expression, “God said it, I believe it, that settles it”. However, the real truth is this. God says it and whether we believe it or not it’s settled. God’s Word is always reliable, always true.

Yes, the Word of God is where I hang my hat!

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Good & Healthy

How many of you are already planning your holiday baking and the menus for Thanksgiving and Christmas meals? Does the word “healthy” fit with those culinary delights? Or is your attitude more along the lines of indulgence and it’s only once a year?

I was going to use the “just this once” phrase but realized that has kind of been a pattern of late. Camping and cookies – just this once. Grandchildrens birthday cupcakes – just this once (three months in a row). Yes, I’ve let those just-this-once treats and snacks add some extra pounds that need to be removed.

So, this morning I’m going to talk about exercise for a bit. Not for you but for me. I need to put this out there and be accountable.

When we first realize that we “need” to exercise it’s never pleasant. Accepting that we are out of shape and not as healthy as we should be is the first step. So we decide to exercise.

The first few days we have a real commitment or at least that’s what we tell ourself. But then comes day seven or eight; and it becomes harder to stay committed to the goal. Our muscles hurt, we’re not seeing any results yet, we start making excuses and when we do that we are on your way to failure.

I know, I’ve failed many times.

Now think back to our childhood days – exercise wasn’t a bad word. In fact, it was called play. To be outside with our buddies playing ball, running through the yard playing tag or football. Going hiking to your favorite fishing spot or walking the mile to the swimming pool in the afternoon heat (my personal favorite). It was fun and we were in shape.

Of course you know this is going to have a spiritual correlation.

When we face trials and temptations it is an opportunity to exercise our faith. James tells us to count it joy because we will be developed and end up lacking nothing. Exercising our faith builds spiritual muscle.

“My friends, be glad, even if you have a lot of trouble. 3 You know that you learn to endure by having your faith tested. 4 But you must learn to endure everything, so that you will be completely mature and not lacking in anything.” James 1:2-4 CEV

Facing trials is like building muscle. At first we see little victories but then to continue to develop a muscle we must increase the weight, the repetition or both.

In walking with the Lord, we’re never left to do this on our own. We have a great coach who is with us every step. Under His direction and inspiration we come out the winner.

“You are tempted in the same way that everyone else is tempted. But God can be trusted not to let you be tempted too much, and he will show you how to escape from your temptations.” I Corinthians 10:13 CEV

Jesus knows what this is all about because He went through every temptation we experience while he was here on earth. Who better to coach us than someone whose been there, done that and emerged as the Champion of Champions!

“We have a great high priest who has gone to live with God in heaven. He is Jesus the Son of God. So let us continue to express our faith in him. 15 Jesus, our high priest, is able to understand our weaknesses. When Jesus lived on earth, he was tempted in every way. He was tempted in the same ways we are tempted, but he never sinned. 16 With Jesus as our high priest, we can feel free to come before God’s throne where there is grace. There we receive mercy and kindness to help us when we need it.” Hebrews 4:14-16 ERV

Thank you Lord for coaching me through life and providing all the help I need to develop and finish as a winner! And thank you for giving me the power to resist that pecan pie and stay on track with my daily exercise!

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