On New Year's night, the final day of celebration for what 2010 was and anticipation of what 2011 will bring I sat with sister Amber, brother-in-law Matt, best friend Mel and her husband Jose playing Ticket to Ride, my new favorite game (Which just so happens to be a German made game-I think the Germans and I will get along well).
After all the smash talking of who would win and trying to out do each other and then finally congratulating the winner (which I just can't seem to remember who won-I had the longest train, but apparently that doesn't mean I won. :( ), we decided to spend some time talking about what we hoped for in 2011. We went around the table, and everyone seemed to have these intense and deep hopes and prayers for what God would do in them and who they wanted to be...and I sat there with nothing to say. It isn't that I don't have hopes or that I don't want God to do a great work in me, but I just hadn't sat still long enough or with purpose to really think about it. What do I hope for in this new year?
After realizing how ridiculous it is that I hadn't given the time to think about this, and that I've taken on the "passive" action in living life, I've decided that isn't good enough for me.
So, I am stepping out and making a decision, and that decision is that I am going to read the Purpose Driven Life...a book that I have not ever read. (I'm a person who rebels against what is the "rave" of the times...which is why I didn't read this book when it was "all the rave" in Christian circles).
I want to take this month and devote it to prayer about what God has for me this year and blog every day about what God reveals. Now considering my track record of blog entries and their consistency, I have to say that this will be difficult for me, but a good first step.
And, due to the fact that our God has a GREAT sense of humor, I imagine that many of my entries will involve awkward and ridiculous things that hopefully will make you laugh...it also might involve some hard things that will be hard to be honest about, but hopefully will inspire all of you to take a deep look at your lives as well. Who knows what is ahead, all I know is that this promises to be a great ride.
My first entry then will be tomorrow, January 12th.
See you all then!
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Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Arms down, head back, and hold on!
I know that EVERYONE and their mother, brother, sister, father, cousins, uncles and aunts say this...but I just can't seem to wrap my brain around how FAST time is moving.
I'm 29-almost 30...first of all...WHAT?????? This cannot be.
Almost 11 years ago I graduated from highschool
Almost 8 years ago I graduated from college
Exactly 3 years ago I graduated from Graduate School
2 1/2 years ago I came to Longview--this is what seems the craziest. I can't believe that it's been 2 1/2 years already and that I'm in the home stretch of my time here.
Thanksgiving came and went, Christmas is almost here and once the New Year comes I can just see my life moving is super fast motion...
...kind of like this amazing roller coaster ride at my favorite amusement park, Cedar Point, in Sandusky Ohio: Top Thrill Dragster. You hop in the car, anticipating the ride, and hear the man in blue, holding on to his walkie like it's his trophy, calls out..."Keep your arms down, head back and hold on! Enjoy the ride here at Cedar Point, America's. roller. coast." And boom...you're off at 120 mph right from the start; head plastered to the headrest, and your face feels like it's getting the most intense face lift ever and you climb to 420 feet in about 4 seconds, and 13 seconds later, the ride is over....yes, this is kind of what I anticipate January-August to be for me...before I leave the country and begin a whole new life.
"Keep your arms down, head back and hold on! Enjoy the ride..."
I'm 29-almost 30...first of all...WHAT?????? This cannot be.
Almost 11 years ago I graduated from highschool
Almost 8 years ago I graduated from college
Exactly 3 years ago I graduated from Graduate School
2 1/2 years ago I came to Longview--this is what seems the craziest. I can't believe that it's been 2 1/2 years already and that I'm in the home stretch of my time here.
Thanksgiving came and went, Christmas is almost here and once the New Year comes I can just see my life moving is super fast motion...
...kind of like this amazing roller coaster ride at my favorite amusement park, Cedar Point, in Sandusky Ohio: Top Thrill Dragster. You hop in the car, anticipating the ride, and hear the man in blue, holding on to his walkie like it's his trophy, calls out..."Keep your arms down, head back and hold on! Enjoy the ride here at Cedar Point, America's. roller. coast." And boom...you're off at 120 mph right from the start; head plastered to the headrest, and your face feels like it's getting the most intense face lift ever and you climb to 420 feet in about 4 seconds, and 13 seconds later, the ride is over....yes, this is kind of what I anticipate January-August to be for me...before I leave the country and begin a whole new life.
"Keep your arms down, head back and hold on! Enjoy the ride..."
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Morning glory
One of my favorite things is waking up in the morning and feeling like I got enough rest and God is the first thing on my mind. I open my eyes and welcome the day, and have my first thoughts be to pray and ask God to help me order my day, and to empower me to accomplish all that He wants for me. This happened this morning.
Most times I drag my very weary self out of bed because mornings and I just don't get along...and my bed and I have become pretty good friends-so welcoming and comfortable with Egyptian cotton sheets. Who wants to get out of bed when you sleep on Egyptian cotton sheets?! Ah, but alas this morning was glorious and serene as I awoke in peace. I really hope that this becomes the normal description of my mornings.
And now with Coffee in hand and knowing God is with me today I am anticipating what God will show me today and how I might be able to minister to someone in Jesus' name.
Bring on your ministry God, I'm ready!
Most times I drag my very weary self out of bed because mornings and I just don't get along...and my bed and I have become pretty good friends-so welcoming and comfortable with Egyptian cotton sheets. Who wants to get out of bed when you sleep on Egyptian cotton sheets?! Ah, but alas this morning was glorious and serene as I awoke in peace. I really hope that this becomes the normal description of my mornings.
And now with Coffee in hand and knowing God is with me today I am anticipating what God will show me today and how I might be able to minister to someone in Jesus' name.
Bring on your ministry God, I'm ready!
Monday, August 9, 2010
Tune in to a different frequency
I've been thinking about the last 7 years of my life and I've realized that so much of my time has been about waiting. Waiting for the dream that God put inside me to come to fruition. Waiting for desires to be fulfilled as I've sought after the Lord. And because I've come to realize how much of my time has been spent in the season of waiting, I'm wondering if there is something supernatural that occurs in this season because God orchestrates events in the lives of His people that cause them to wait. It's as if we can only know parts of God's character and truly encounter something supernatural with God in the midst of waiting. Let's think about what God says about waiting...
Psalm 27:14 "Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord."
Psalm 33:20 "We wait in hope for the Lord; He is our help and our shield."
Psalm 37:7 "Be still before the Lord and patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes."
Psalm 37:34 "Wait for the Lord and keep his way; He will exalt you to inherit the land."
Psalm 40:1 "I waited patiently for the Lord;He turned to me and heard my cry."
Psalm 130:6 "My soul waits for the Lord, more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchman wait for the morning."
Proverbs 8:34 "Blessed is the man who listens to me,watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway."
Isaiah 30:18 "Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; He rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him."
Isaiah 38:13 "I waited patiently till dawn; but like a lion he broke all of my bones;day and night you made an end to me."
Isaiah 51:5 "My righteousness draws near speedily, my salvation is on the way,and my arm will bring justice to the nations.The islands will look to me and wait in hope for my arm."
Lamentations 3:24 "The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him."
Micah 7:7 "But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord; I wait for God my Savior, my God will hear me."
John 3:29 "The bride belongs to the bridegroom.The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom's voice."
Acts 1:4 "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about."
Romans 8:25 "But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently."
1 Cor. 1:7 "Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for the Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed."
James 5:7 "Be patient then brothers as you wait for the Lord's coming. SEe how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains."
Jude 1:21 "Keep yourself in God's love as you wait for the mercy of the Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life."
Sometimes I think that when we wait we don't exactly know what we are waiting for, we're just waiting because nothing has happened yet. But according to these verses, we are supposed to wait for the Lord-we aren't supposed to wait for a situation to change, but there seems to be something that God does when we wait for him, HE shows up and an interaction occurs.
A good friend of mine told me that when we wait on the Lord, it isn't that we are waiting in silence, but that there are a lot of different sounds in the waiting room, just on a different frequency, we have to tune into the supernatural frequency that God Himself is communicating on.
Sometimes waiting feels like God is just sitting on His throne, hearing my cry. But He just sits there. And I am convinced now that is a wrong perspective, because these verses speak that when we wait, God acts. When we wait, God can make things happen in the heavens, He rises with Compassion, He righteously judges, He makes things happen.
I think that is why He often orchestrates events in which His people have to wait, because HE wants to do it, He wants to show His saving arm. Just look at Abraham. God caused Sarah to be barren so that they would have to wait and see the salvation and the purpose of God come down upon them. It was HIS mighty hand. And we see what happened when they got tired of waiting, and lost hope in God's ability to act, and in His desire to do so.
So, as I sit in this waiting room...God isn't passively sitting by watching me wait, but when I pray He rises, whey I cry out in frustration He walks, when I exalt Him He shakes the heavens and His glory is revealed. Those are of the supernatural, and I get to take part in that.
What I'm needing in my current situation is to sense that "God is on the move" to accomplish His purposes for my life.
Waiting is hard. Giving up dreams is hard. Seeing that the future might look different than what I expect is hard: accepting that seems almost impossible. But is God faithful? yes! Is He ever out of control? No. I must hold on to His unchangeable character in the midst of uncertainty.
Psalm 27:14 "Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord."
Psalm 33:20 "We wait in hope for the Lord; He is our help and our shield."
Psalm 37:7 "Be still before the Lord and patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes."
Psalm 37:34 "Wait for the Lord and keep his way; He will exalt you to inherit the land."
Psalm 40:1 "I waited patiently for the Lord;He turned to me and heard my cry."
Psalm 130:6 "My soul waits for the Lord, more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchman wait for the morning."
Proverbs 8:34 "Blessed is the man who listens to me,watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway."
Isaiah 30:18 "Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; He rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him."
Isaiah 38:13 "I waited patiently till dawn; but like a lion he broke all of my bones;day and night you made an end to me."
Isaiah 51:5 "My righteousness draws near speedily, my salvation is on the way,and my arm will bring justice to the nations.The islands will look to me and wait in hope for my arm."
Lamentations 3:24 "The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him."
Micah 7:7 "But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord; I wait for God my Savior, my God will hear me."
John 3:29 "The bride belongs to the bridegroom.The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom's voice."
Acts 1:4 "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about."
Romans 8:25 "But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently."
1 Cor. 1:7 "Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for the Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed."
James 5:7 "Be patient then brothers as you wait for the Lord's coming. SEe how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains."
Jude 1:21 "Keep yourself in God's love as you wait for the mercy of the Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life."
Sometimes I think that when we wait we don't exactly know what we are waiting for, we're just waiting because nothing has happened yet. But according to these verses, we are supposed to wait for the Lord-we aren't supposed to wait for a situation to change, but there seems to be something that God does when we wait for him, HE shows up and an interaction occurs.
A good friend of mine told me that when we wait on the Lord, it isn't that we are waiting in silence, but that there are a lot of different sounds in the waiting room, just on a different frequency, we have to tune into the supernatural frequency that God Himself is communicating on.
Sometimes waiting feels like God is just sitting on His throne, hearing my cry. But He just sits there. And I am convinced now that is a wrong perspective, because these verses speak that when we wait, God acts. When we wait, God can make things happen in the heavens, He rises with Compassion, He righteously judges, He makes things happen.
I think that is why He often orchestrates events in which His people have to wait, because HE wants to do it, He wants to show His saving arm. Just look at Abraham. God caused Sarah to be barren so that they would have to wait and see the salvation and the purpose of God come down upon them. It was HIS mighty hand. And we see what happened when they got tired of waiting, and lost hope in God's ability to act, and in His desire to do so.
So, as I sit in this waiting room...God isn't passively sitting by watching me wait, but when I pray He rises, whey I cry out in frustration He walks, when I exalt Him He shakes the heavens and His glory is revealed. Those are of the supernatural, and I get to take part in that.
What I'm needing in my current situation is to sense that "God is on the move" to accomplish His purposes for my life.
Waiting is hard. Giving up dreams is hard. Seeing that the future might look different than what I expect is hard: accepting that seems almost impossible. But is God faithful? yes! Is He ever out of control? No. I must hold on to His unchangeable character in the midst of uncertainty.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Grace Flows Down
Last night I was talking with my brother-in-law, sharing the good news of my consecration interview with him and exclaiming, "I had so much fun in there!" He laughed and said, "wow, that isn't usually the response that I hear from people who go through the ordination/consecration process..." And this comment is all too true.
I have been in interviews like this before, I went through one to become a candidate for International Ministries, and I remember feeling intimidated. And it was hard to just "relax" and express what is truly in your mind and heart when you feel the "pressure to perform." But this time, it was far different.
The difference...prayer.Absolutely. I had a great support team interceding for me here in longview and around the country and even overseas! How beautiful. But also before I went into this I went before the Lord and I said, "Jesus, I am not going in there unless you go before and stand with me. It's you and me. Let's go." Peace consumed me. In the presence of the Lord there is fullness of joy. I loved sitting in that room with these men sharing what I believe about the Lord and happily referring to scriptures that have been etched on my heart (partly due to 7 years of Bible Quizzing-being drilled on scripture-thank you Tom and Jim!) since I was a little girl.
There was a seriousness to the interview, but we were able to laugh and make jokes together as well. And later they expressed their thanks for the enjoyment they had, often it can be stressful for them as well...so they welcomed the refreshing time that we all had together.
After all the questioning was over, they called me back in to welcome me into the family of the Southwestern district as a fully consecrated and approved woman in the ministry. Then they gathered around me to pray over me. And something changed in that moment-I can't explain it, but I sense something has happened in my spirit-like God has just added me as a pillar in the house of the Lord and that is so humbling to consider.
His Grace flows down and covers me.
I have been in interviews like this before, I went through one to become a candidate for International Ministries, and I remember feeling intimidated. And it was hard to just "relax" and express what is truly in your mind and heart when you feel the "pressure to perform." But this time, it was far different.
The difference...prayer.Absolutely. I had a great support team interceding for me here in longview and around the country and even overseas! How beautiful. But also before I went into this I went before the Lord and I said, "Jesus, I am not going in there unless you go before and stand with me. It's you and me. Let's go." Peace consumed me. In the presence of the Lord there is fullness of joy. I loved sitting in that room with these men sharing what I believe about the Lord and happily referring to scriptures that have been etched on my heart (partly due to 7 years of Bible Quizzing-being drilled on scripture-thank you Tom and Jim!) since I was a little girl.
There was a seriousness to the interview, but we were able to laugh and make jokes together as well. And later they expressed their thanks for the enjoyment they had, often it can be stressful for them as well...so they welcomed the refreshing time that we all had together.
After all the questioning was over, they called me back in to welcome me into the family of the Southwestern district as a fully consecrated and approved woman in the ministry. Then they gathered around me to pray over me. And something changed in that moment-I can't explain it, but I sense something has happened in my spirit-like God has just added me as a pillar in the house of the Lord and that is so humbling to consider.
His Grace flows down and covers me.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
An appointed Time for Everything
So, as you can see, I am making some changes to my blog. There are several reasons for these changes...
1. I like to change things around-in some things I am a creature of habit, but in others I really enjoy adding new dimensions. This is one of those, and I get to put my creativity to good use, so this is my outlet!
2. I am heading into some unknown times...for example: How much longer will I be in Longview, TX? Is this the year that transitions me to international work? If so, what country am I being prepared for? What exactly will I be doing? If not, what does God have up his sleeve for me? (And some of the more honest questions being:God, how much longer are you going to make me wait for the fulfillment of the vision & desire YOU put in me????? How many more doors will be closed before the right one opens up? Could you at least open a window so I can get a glimpse of what is ahead? Please?")-Come on folks, let's be honest...we all have questions deep down just like this, don't we? ;)
3. And it is these questions that propelled me to change the name of my blog from Skies of Texas to Paths Uncharted. I don't know what lies ahead of me, and how bumpy the road may be, if there will be anyone else on that journey with me or if I'll have to continue to walk it alone, what valleys or mountains I may experience as I go, or who I will become in the process. The road ahead is uncharted. It's territory I've never walked before. But even though it's never been walked by me, the way has already been made straight by my Father. He has gone before me to make my way straight in the wilderness, and no matter if I am alone or not, He promises always to be by my side and my rear guard. I just need to trust him with all of my heart and not give in to the temptation to lean on what my mind understands or doesn't understand. His ways are higher than mine as are His thoughts.
All of this reminds me of a verse God gave me for leading worship this past Sunday:
"Thus says the Lord,
Cursed is the man who trusts in mankind and makes flesh His strength, and whose heart turns away from the Lord.
For he will be like a bush in the desert and will not see when prosperity comes
But will live in stony wastes in the wilderness; a land of salt without inhabitant.
But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose trust IS the Lord
For he will be like a tree planted by the water, that extends its roots by a stream
and will not fear when the heat comes; but its leaves will be green, and it will not be anxious in a year of drought nor cease to yield fruit."
_Jeremiah 17:5-8
Wow, as I write it I realize how much this verse pertains to me in the current state of my heart and mind. I long to be the latter; may it never be that I take the way of the cursed man.
As the psalmist prays, so I pray:
"Lord, when you said 'Seek my face', my heart said to you O Lord, 'Your face I shall seek...teach me Your way O Lord, and lead me in a level path." ~Psalm 27:8,11
1. I like to change things around-in some things I am a creature of habit, but in others I really enjoy adding new dimensions. This is one of those, and I get to put my creativity to good use, so this is my outlet!
2. I am heading into some unknown times...for example: How much longer will I be in Longview, TX? Is this the year that transitions me to international work? If so, what country am I being prepared for? What exactly will I be doing? If not, what does God have up his sleeve for me? (And some of the more honest questions being:God, how much longer are you going to make me wait for the fulfillment of the vision & desire YOU put in me????? How many more doors will be closed before the right one opens up? Could you at least open a window so I can get a glimpse of what is ahead? Please?")-Come on folks, let's be honest...we all have questions deep down just like this, don't we? ;)
3. And it is these questions that propelled me to change the name of my blog from Skies of Texas to Paths Uncharted. I don't know what lies ahead of me, and how bumpy the road may be, if there will be anyone else on that journey with me or if I'll have to continue to walk it alone, what valleys or mountains I may experience as I go, or who I will become in the process. The road ahead is uncharted. It's territory I've never walked before. But even though it's never been walked by me, the way has already been made straight by my Father. He has gone before me to make my way straight in the wilderness, and no matter if I am alone or not, He promises always to be by my side and my rear guard. I just need to trust him with all of my heart and not give in to the temptation to lean on what my mind understands or doesn't understand. His ways are higher than mine as are His thoughts.
All of this reminds me of a verse God gave me for leading worship this past Sunday:
"Thus says the Lord,
Cursed is the man who trusts in mankind and makes flesh His strength, and whose heart turns away from the Lord.
For he will be like a bush in the desert and will not see when prosperity comes
But will live in stony wastes in the wilderness; a land of salt without inhabitant.
But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose trust IS the Lord
For he will be like a tree planted by the water, that extends its roots by a stream
and will not fear when the heat comes; but its leaves will be green, and it will not be anxious in a year of drought nor cease to yield fruit."
_Jeremiah 17:5-8
Wow, as I write it I realize how much this verse pertains to me in the current state of my heart and mind. I long to be the latter; may it never be that I take the way of the cursed man.
As the psalmist prays, so I pray:
"Lord, when you said 'Seek my face', my heart said to you O Lord, 'Your face I shall seek...teach me Your way O Lord, and lead me in a level path." ~Psalm 27:8,11
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
The Living Room of Sweet Communion
Living Room of Sweet Communion
By Summer Hartzler
May 10th, 2010
Verse One
The bridegroom/ yearns for his bride
He says “Beloved/ You are mine”
(Song of Solomon 2:16)
He asks why
Have you forsaken me?
The Spring that gives you living water
(Jeremiah 2:13)
Verse Two
The bridegroom/ stands at her door
(Revelation 3:20)
“Beloved/ I want you to know me more”
Hear my voice
(Revelation 3:22)
I hold the keys to your heart
Will you dine with me
in the living room of sweet communion?
(Revelation 3:20)
Chorus 1
She will/ over come
And I’ll give the right to eat
Of the tree of life
That is found in
The paradise of God
(Revelation 2:7)
Verse Three
The bridegroom/ walks toward His bride
Beloved I have come/ to your side
He ask why
Have you eaten of the food
That won’t satisfy?
(Isaiah 55:2)
For I am
The bread that gives eternal life
(John 6:35)
Chorus 2
She will/ overcome
I will give to her/ the morning star
(Revelation 22:16; 2:28)
She’ll have a new name
Written on a stone
(Revelation 2:17)
She’ll be found in
The paradise of God
Verse Four
The beautiful bride responds/ to her groom
She takes His hand and says/I am ready now
(Revelation19:7)
She looks at Him with love
And He declares to her
I will/betroth you in righteousness
I will/forever in faithfulness
(Hosea 2:19)
And I will dine with you
In the living room of sweet communion
Revelation 3:20)
Chorus 3
She has/ overcome
Has prepared herself for me
With fine linen bright and clean
(Revelation19:7-8)
I will/ make her
A pillar in the house
In the temple of the Lord
(Revelation3:12)
Beloved/ I am coming soon
(Revelation22:12)
She has/overcome
I gave the right to eat
Of the tree of life
She is found in
The paradise of God
She’ll have a new name
Written on a stone
And beloved
I am coming soon.
By Summer Hartzler
May 10th, 2010
Verse One
The bridegroom/ yearns for his bride
He says “Beloved/ You are mine”
(Song of Solomon 2:16)
He asks why
Have you forsaken me?
The Spring that gives you living water
(Jeremiah 2:13)
Verse Two
The bridegroom/ stands at her door
(Revelation 3:20)
“Beloved/ I want you to know me more”
Hear my voice
(Revelation 3:22)
I hold the keys to your heart
Will you dine with me
in the living room of sweet communion?
(Revelation 3:20)
Chorus 1
She will/ over come
And I’ll give the right to eat
Of the tree of life
That is found in
The paradise of God
(Revelation 2:7)
Verse Three
The bridegroom/ walks toward His bride
Beloved I have come/ to your side
He ask why
Have you eaten of the food
That won’t satisfy?
(Isaiah 55:2)
For I am
The bread that gives eternal life
(John 6:35)
Chorus 2
She will/ overcome
I will give to her/ the morning star
(Revelation 22:16; 2:28)
She’ll have a new name
Written on a stone
(Revelation 2:17)
She’ll be found in
The paradise of God
Verse Four
The beautiful bride responds/ to her groom
She takes His hand and says/I am ready now
(Revelation19:7)
She looks at Him with love
And He declares to her
I will/betroth you in righteousness
I will/forever in faithfulness
(Hosea 2:19)
And I will dine with you
In the living room of sweet communion
Revelation 3:20)
Chorus 3
She has/ overcome
Has prepared herself for me
With fine linen bright and clean
(Revelation19:7-8)
I will/ make her
A pillar in the house
In the temple of the Lord
(Revelation3:12)
Beloved/ I am coming soon
(Revelation22:12)
She has/overcome
I gave the right to eat
Of the tree of life
She is found in
The paradise of God
She’ll have a new name
Written on a stone
And beloved
I am coming soon.
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