Marriage – the first and most important institution that was created by God himself at the beginning time.
In ancient times, weddings were some of the most anticipated events of a lifetime.
It was understood that the union of a man & woman signified new life and
represented God’s love & passion for humanity.
Lets start with Genesis 2. in the King James Bible which is an incredible passage.
Most of you probably think you already know the story, and you probably do.
But there is something here I think is often missed.
Beginning at verse 18:Genesis 2:18-25
18 And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone;
I will make him an help meet for him.
19 And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field,
and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them:
and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof.
20 And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air,
and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him.
21 And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept:
and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof;
22 And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman,
and brought her unto the man.
23 And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh:
she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.
24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife:
and they shall be one flesh.
25 And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.
Here we have the historical narrative of the creation of woman and of the establishment of marriage, and it begins with God's sovereign declaration that it is not good for man to be alone.
This was not Adam's self-realization. Adam did not come himself to the understanding that it was not good for himself to be alone. He did not know any better than being alone.
It was God's sovereign authority and God's purpose in creation to declare that it was not good for
Adam to be alone. Man's aloneness was by God's design; it anticipated His creation of woman.
But here is the interesting thing that is often missed.
God declares that'"it is not good that the man should be alone,"'
(v. 18) and then He reveals his purpose as Creator:
18 And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone;
I will make him an help meet for him.
The life together is rooted not in the sand of emotional satisfaction but in the rock of covenant commitment.
"COVENANT BEFORE GOD!" That is the essence of marriage. And when God stands as witness to the covenant promises of a marriage, it becomes more than a merely human agreement. God is not a
passive bystander at a wedding ceremony. In effect he says, I have seen this, I confirm it, and I record it in heaven. And I bestow upon this covenant by my presence and my purpose
the dignity of being an image of my own covenant with my wife, the church.
God Is in a Covenant with His Wife, His People We know this from Ephesians 5, but there is pointer to it in verse 16,
and this is my final observation from the text. Verse 16 says, "For I hate divorce, says the Lord the God of Israel."
This is the only time in the whole book where God calls himself the "God of Israel." I don't think that is an accident.
Because the root reason why God hates divorce is that it is fundamentally a contradiction of his covenant with his wife, his people.
He is the God of Israel. The fellowship may be broken. There may be exile and separation.
There may be anger and tears. But when whole story is told, the sum of the matter is Isaiah 54:4-8:
1 Corinthians 7:3-9
Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband.
4 The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife. 5 Defraud ye not one the other,
except it be?†? with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency. 6 But I speak this by
permission, and not of commandment. 7 For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that. 8 I say therefore
to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I. 9 But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.
1 Corinthians 14:35
And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home:
for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.
Ephesians 5:22
Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.
Eph 5:24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.
Eph 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church,
and gave himself for it;
Eph 5:33 Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself;
and the wife see that she reverence her husband.
Col 3:18 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.
Col 3:19 Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.
God is married to his wife, the church, followers of Christ.
Just as Jesus gave all for the church, even his life.
This is the same way man and woman are to be when they enter a covenant as husband and wife.
God is to be first, then your spouse . . .
and everything else after that.
On the day of your wedding. You are telling each other that you will love each other, and put each other
before thy self in everything for as long as you shall live, and that you trust they will do the same.
I am married to the greatest wife I could ever be with.
This is the marriage we have, and it is for this reason that
I have become a Christian Wedding Officiant.
Let me clarify a Christian.
This is one who accepts that Jesus died for their sins, and was risen on the 3rd day. You have admitted to being a sinner, have asked forgiveness, and you have turned from worldly ways to follow
Jesus Christ ONLY.
This makes you a Christian, and it matters not what if any building you go to for worship.
I look forward to being with you on your wedding day. But even if your not in South Carolina, I would like to do what I can to help make your wedding day great and to get you started with
the marriage God has planned for you.
I shall write about my wife and I starting with our meeting online. . .
so check back for the updates.
Today is Dec 24. the day before we celebrate the birth of our Jesus Christ, so
I wish you a Very Merry Christmas !!!
Dec 25
Good morning, Good morning
It is Christmas morning !
I hope everybody has lots of food, friends and family
Say Happy Birthday to Jesus Christ!
And to everyone else
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
We are off to Church to start our day.
Dec 26 My life is so blessed. I get to be with children most of the time, 4 or 5 times a month I get to be part of
a couples life in love through the wedding. . . and the rest of the time, I am with my wife. Today's wedding was a
more mature couple,but they were just as much in Love as the young couples. Perhaps as long as I am part of weddings, my
wife and I will always be newlyweds . . .Thank you Lord !
Dec 27 We all know the movies that are called chick flicks, well I have to say I enjoy them. Or perhaps i just enjoy them with my wife. I woke at 2am and laid there watching my wife sleep
for over an hour. She is so beautiful. I am still puzzled at how God got her to be one with me. That in its self is
a miracle.
Dec 28 As a Christmas gift from the parents we have one free day without children and paid dinner and a movie.
not sure when we will do this, but I am sure we will love it
Dec 29 Did i ever say marriage was perfect. As a joke, I told my wife her cooking was making me fat.
she gave no argument. For Lunch we had baked fish and dinner was a Salad. . . I think she was making a point. <g>
Dec 30 We are almost into a new year. If 2012 is half as good as this year. . . it will be a great year
Wedding Wire has banned me from using their forum. I guess I should be proud of it.
There are some good vendors on there, however if your a Christian, beware.
Dec 31 The day went well but the night was crazy. We had lots of chips and soda and my wife cooked lots of food.
We played all night, celebrated midnight and went to bed
Jan 1, 2012 Happy Happy New Year
I am grateful for those on wedding wire who have shown their support through e-mail. I would suggest if looking for wedding vendors to check out
wedding wire, however be careful of those who post on the forums and make sure they are who they say they are. Check their storefront. For most people you can ask them,however it has been
made clear they do not feel they have to be honest. . . so please, take the time and make sure your getting what you think you are getting. To all the bride and grooms.
Congratulations on the best relationship between a man and woman.
Jesus loves EVERYBODY, and like any good father. . . is ready to forgive you, pray today.
Jan 2. And it is back to School. First day back to school after a 2 week break, and it starts on a Monday. .
.
We slept in till 6am. Had a fast breakfast, read Psalm 148, prayed
together and then off to school
Jan 3. Well I am happy not to have any weddings this week. The tem is 39 and is suppose to go to 18. This is some
really cold weather. . .too cold be standing on a beach. However cold days are great cuddle days.
* * * This is something I got online, and I think it needs to be passed on, so I post it here * * *
Fwd: Joys of Muslim women
Date:4/28/2010 Apr
28, 2010
This woman is the real deal. I have seen her interviewed on TV. You can read about her on Wikepedia or
just Google her name. We need to lift her up in prayer for physical and spiritual protection as she is a former muslim speaking out against Islam and the jihadists and I'm sure she is on their
"hit list".
While America is getting rid of Christianity from all public arenas and erasing God from the lives of children, the Muslims are planning a great jihad on America .
"Joys" of Muslim Women
by Nonie Darwish
WRITTEN BY A FORMER MUSLIM WOMAN WHO CONVERTED TO CHRISTIANITY ________________________________
In the Muslim faith a Muslim man can marry a child as young as 1 year old and have sexual intimacy with this child, consummating the marriage by her age o f 9.
The dowry is given to the family in exchange for the woman (who becomes his slave) and for the purchase of the private parts of the woman, to use her as a toy.
Even though a woman is abused, she can not obtain a divorce.
To prove rape, the woman must have (4) male witnesses. Often, after a woman has been raped, she is returned to her family, and the family must return the dowry. The family has the
right to execute her (an honor killing) to restore the honor of the family.
Husbands can beat their wives "at will," and he does not have to say why he has beaten her.
The husband is permitted to have 4 wives and a temporary wife for an hour (prostitute) at his discretion.
The Shariah Muslim law controls the private as well as the public life of the woman.
In the Western World ( America ) Muslim men are starting to demand Shariah Law so the wife can not obtain a divorce, and he can have full and complete control of her. It is amazing
and alarming how many of our sisters and daughters attending American Universities are now marrying Muslim men and submitting themselves and their children unsuspectingly to the Shariah law.
By passing this on, enlightened American women may avoid becoming slaves under Shariah Law.
Author and lecturer Nonie Darwish says the goal of radical Islamists is to impose Shariah law on the world, ripping Western law and liberty in two.
She recently authored the book, Cruel and Usual Punishment: The Terrifying Global Implications of Islamic Law .
Darwish was born in Cairo and spent her childhood in Egypt and Gaza before immigrating to America in 1978, when she was eight years old. Her father died while
leading covert attacks on Israel . He was a high-ranking Egyptian military officer stationed with his family in Gaza . When he died, he was considered a "shahid," a martyr
for jihad. His posthumous status earned Nonie and her family an elevated position in Muslim society.
But Darwish developed a skeptical eye at an early age. She questioned her own Muslim culture and upbringing. She converted to Christianity after hearing a Christian preacher on
television.
In her latest book, Darwish warns about creeping Shariah law - what it is, what it means, and how it is manifested in Islamic countries.
For the West, she says radical Islamists are working to impose Shariah on the world. If that happens, Western civilization will be destroyed. Westerners generally assume all religions
encourage a respect for the dignity of each individual. Islamic law (Shariah) teaches that non-Muslims should be subjugated or killed in this world.
Peace and prosperity for one's children is not as important as assuring that Islamic law rules everywhere in the Middle East and eventually in the world.
While Westerners tend to think that all religions encourage some form of the golden rule, Shariah teaches two systems of ethics - one for Muslims and another for non-Muslims. Building on
tribal practices of the seventh century, Shariah encourages the side of humanity that wants to take from and subjugate others.
While Westerners tend to think in terms of religious people developing a personal understanding of and relationship with God, Shariah advocates executing people who ask difficult questions that
could be interpreted as criticism.
It's hard to imagine, that in this day and age, Islamic scholars agree that those who criticize Islam or choose to stop being Muslim should be executed. Sadly, while talk of an Islamic
reformation is common and even assumed by many in the West, such murmurings in the Middle East are silenced through intimidation.
While Westerners are accustomed to an increase in religious tolerance over time, Darwish explains how petro dollars are being used to grow an extremely intolerant form of political Islam in her
native Egypt and elsewhere.
In twenty years there will be enough Muslim voters in the U.S. to elect the President by themselves! Rest as sured they will do so. You can look at how they have taken over several
towns in the USA Dearborn , Mich. is one - and there are others.
I think everyone in the U.S. should be required to read this, but with the ACLU, there is no way this will be widely publicized, unless each of us sends it on!
It is too bad that so many are disillusioned with life and Christianity that they accept Muslims as peaceful ... some may be ... but they have an army that is willing to shed blood in the name of
Islam.
While America is getting rid of Christianity from all public sites and erasing God from the lives of children, the Muslims are planning a great jihad on America .
This is your chance to make a difference. Please pass it on to your email list or at least those you think will listen .
"If we ever forget that we're one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under." -- Ronald Reagan
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Jan 4th. I love my life. I flirt with at least a hundren
women each morning ( Although I never hear their voice)
and my wife not only understands, but is happy about it.
Jan5th. One of the greatest things about waking before my wife is watching her sleep.
Jan 6 Spent the day with my wife watching TV and cating up with some reading. . .
it was a cheap date,but we both enjoyed it.
Jan 9 Today was a said day. spent most of the day taking down the Christmas tree and decorations,
but we still had fun. i was tempted to wrap my wife in lights and turn them on..
Jan 10. Helping family is not easy, thankfully we can turn it all to God.
Jan 12. My wife fixed enough food for Bible Study, you may of thought we had an army coming. . .
but the good thing is she does not need to cook the rest of the week.
Jan 14 We enjoy our weekend. we had no big plans today, just hang out with each other talking
about things our children did as they were growing up. We had some trying moments,
perhaps that is one of the reasons we enjoy caring for other peoples children
Jan 15 Best day of the week, both sermons were great.
Jan 16 It is great to have a wife who supports you. I spent my morning encouraging folks on the
street corner, then went home to work a few hours on some wedding vows. . . and during
this time my wife did everything else. I am thankful for her everyday, but some days
she surprises me.
Jan 18 My wife says she loves me. . .yes we say this all of the time. But today she stopped me
and told meshe loved me and that I have made her life so much better. It was great to
hear, and a bit prideful for myself. But the truth is she has made my life far more better
than I ever could make hers. If for no other reason, I would praise Jesus daily for giving
me such a great wife.
Jan 19 Perhaps I should not say this, but my wife snores . . .she woke me up. I turned the light
on for about an hour and just watched her. I think if we had a perfect life it would be so boring.
I enjoy watching her sleep. We are not considered young by most people, but she will
always be beautiful to me.
Jan 23 One of our children had a melt down today, I mean we were the center of attention at
Walmart. . . my wife was so happy to get out of Walmart, and all over a $4 toy.
Jan 24 We have 2 children living with us from Ohio. A 4 yr old and 6 yr old The mother was
suppose to send support. . .but so far we are still waiting. It is like raising our own
children again. Children are a lot of hard work, but the joy they bring is worth it.
Jan 26 talked with a lady who thought her relationship was over, I was able to point out all
the good they had going and she could see they really did have a great relationship.
She thanked me with a huge hug, of course a box of tissues first may have been good.
It is so rewarding to see these relationships blossom.
Jan 27 My wife says I have all day Saturday to do what I like. . . I asked her if that was a promise,
and she said as long as nothing comes up. Well around here that is like saying if a bird
does not fly over the house. . . we always have something that comes up when
we think
everything is running smoothly.
Jan 28 a woman that my son knows is carrying 3 children, and she will give them to him when they
are born. Well she is in the ER, the babies are moving around a lot and there is a fear the cords
will get tangled, so they may induce her delivery in March. Please pray for my son James,
this woman and the babies and the doctors. We pray for a healthy delivery which will make
everybody happy.
Jan 31 The first of each onth we have a national prayer day for everyone to pray for jobs, health, and
government here in America. Please pray with us on Feb 1 for God to pull us out of this mess we
have allowed ourselves to get into, and to put us back on track to being the strong healthy christian
nation that we used to be.
Feb 15 Well, nothing special since the 1st. We have been busy putting the Christmas decorations away,
rakeing the leaves in the yard, had a big meeting at the church for the bus ministry, and our cook out party.
However yesterday was very special. One of our Moms whatched the children so we could go to Texas
roadhouse for dinner. Steak, Prime rib, blooming onion, baked poateo with everything , salad, and of course
lots of peanuts. we were only able to eat half our dinner, so we saved the rest for tonight. instead of going to
the movies we went window shoppingand then sit out and enjoyed the beautiful night, and my beautiful wife.
I try to thank God with every prayer for my wife, he has blessed me with the best.
Feb 22 I know I need to post more often. been very busy with my lovely wife,
but i will try to post more often.
March 01. February was an interesting month. We had been keeping two of my cousins children
for the last 5 months, so money was tight. However she came and got her children last
week, so my wife decided to rearange the house. If
it was not for the hard work, I would
say it was fun. We did have a good time with the many changes, it gives the home a
new feel . . . other than me stretched out on the bed.
But i am glad that we are almost finished.
March 06 Finally got the room all set up. it takes us a lot longer on these projects than it used to be,
but we still enjoy doing things like this together.
I am so glad my best friend, is my wife.
March 08 I got a wedding site I would like everybody to join and share Questons and Answers
about Weddings. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ProfessionalWeddingOfficiants
March 13 I got the grass seed planted and it is starting to sprout, got some new flowers planted.
Now I just need to get the tomato plants in the ground and I am
all ready for spring.
I like the fresh flowers and grass, of course the cooler weather was better.
Now it is time for bugs and sweating...and today we are going swiming.
March 19 My wife did a little too much last week. She has been in too much pain this
weekend to do anything, but that is part of recoverey. I am so thankful to
have my wife, she makes my day so wonderful. She is off to the doctor this
morning, so I am trying to have the place cleaned before she returns.
March 21 Watching my wife sleep, I am just amazed how God made man and woman.
I am not sure if God made woman so perfect, or made man so
perfectly happy
to have her. Checking my wife out from her amazing hair laid all over the bed,
down to the way her toes curve on each foot. to think, if I played the lottery,
and won, I could do this all day.
March 24 My wife has becomed hooked with online games.last night she brings the Kindle to bed,
I figure she will play for a few minutes and put it away. 3 hrs latter I see she is going to play
a long time. . . so I sleep on the couch. She has few things she does for entertainment,
so i did not say anything, but hopefully it will not become a habit.. At least today will be a easy day
March 27 Show Respect
"Respect is the most important part of a relationship, because no matter how much you love each other,
life throws surprises at you, and it's important that you make decisions together.
Spouses need to listen to one another and respect the other's views.
These days, one of the best ways a man can show respect to a woman is by being proud of her career.
Women today need support for their work the same way men always have."
When you listen well, you can become part of their experience at work. . .I love you Deb
April 2 When I married my wife, I knew I loved her. But I had no idea how much I would grow to love her,
or how much she would improve my life. Most will tell you their spouce is their better half.
But I doubt most actually understand how true that is
April 2 We are so excited about Easter, and so much to do. I am in the easter play, so we are also trying
to get that done. This is a very special time of the year.
April 6 It is Good Friday. Also the first day of our Easter Play.I hope everyone has a Great Easter and Weekend.
Make It A Choice
Every couple should know that marriage is a choice you have to make every day.
A relationship requires two drivers who help move it forward,
though occasionally you and your partner will alternate taking the lead.
Relationships are work. But the work doesn't have to be difficult; it can be fun and fulfilling.
Keep Christ centered in your relationship, and pray together daily.
April 8 Just watched Suing the Devil, on VuDu. If you get a chance. . .watch it
It was a very good movie. I think most of us would li9ke to sue the Devil.
April 12
Be Present
"The most subtle and destructive force in marriage is taking your wife or husband for granted.
Remind yourself every day why you love your spouse, and be aware of what you really want out of your marriage.
If there are lingering problems or growing distance, being conscious about why you love your partner will help
you confront him or her with empathy and respect, rather than resentment and aggression.
April 15 Spending some family time with 2 of the grandbabies.
May 03 It is very easy to become too busy to post. But, all has been good
June 04 It is not easy to post every day on here. for the last month my wife and I have eaten out 2 times at Olive Garden and once at Texas Roadhouse. we have gone out for 2 movies,
and one day at the amusement park. We spend most of our time together, so we are able to have lots of conversations, but we never seem to run out of things to talk about. she has
changed her hair color which looks good. . . and she had it shorten. We have a dinner at our home thursday, a wedding friday, and a cookout saturday. I tickled her nose with a feather last night. . . while she was sleeping. I will not be doing that again, but I
still think it was funny.
Sept 01, 2012 I have to say I have a new respect for everyone who runs a blog. It is not as easy as I had thought to
post every day. However after a lot of thought i have decided to keep my blog. I
will try harder to post more often. Perhaps i can try
for once a week. I thought when we got married i loved her the most I
could ever love another person. but our years together has proven you can always love someone
more, and I thank god daily that he sent me the best. today We went to the beach. we were going to
go to the plantation, but decided to spend time at home. tonight we go to
Charleston, and that will be a special night. It is the Labor Day
weekend, so everybody, have a great weekend
Sept 25, 2012 It is so rewarding to me to officiate a wedding. Meeting my new couples is like a condensed love story.
I get to hear how they met and
courted. There thoughts of each other, and the other parts of their
lives. We get to become
friends. so working with them on their wedding is like working with someone
in my family. Even when
they are not on their best behavior, I can understand, for I now how they work.
It is such a joy to bring the bride and groom together before God. Our family is growing with all the
couples we work with, and we love each
one. so many are unhappy with me not setting a fee for
performing a wedding. I have
been told how I will be taken advantage of. well it has not happen during
the last year, and they all express
how they wish it could be more. God knows their heart, and he
blesses what ever they offer.
Besides each wedding is a chance for my wife and I to have a date and
reflect on our wedding and
marriage.
http://wwcdn.weddingwire.com/static/js/widgets/appointment.js
Nov 10, 2012 I guess my blog shows I could use some help. I would like to stay more current.
Many things can distract us, for this reason, I think everyone should make a list of their prioriteis, and to always know what they are. I have my top 26, but I will share the top 10
1. God
2. Wife
3. Family
4. Friends and Neighbors
5. Church
6. Wedding Counsel
7. Weddings
8. National Prayer Day/My Country
9. Myself
10. This Wedding Blog
So there is much that gets my attention before I get to my blog. I will contine with my blog, and hopefully get better over time. My wife is 2nd on my list, and God has provided
me with such a great wife, I always look forward to spending lots of time with her, but I will try to post more often. God Bless
Nov 21, 2012 Thanksgiving is almost here, and I have a lot to be thankful for. But the one thing I am most thankful for is to have my wife with me.
Nov 24, 2012 To say I love my wife, that would be an understatement. I can watch my wife sleep for hours. hair a mess, no make-up, coughing, snooring or doing anything else
anyone would think would not be nice. . .and I would love watching her. I love my wife. Everything my wife does, it reminds me that I love her. She can yell at me . . . and even
though I do not like to be yelled at, it tells me she loves me. It is the Christmas Season, and the same Bible Verse which tells us about Marriage, and Salvation, tells us about Christmas.
For all 3 subjects read and think about John 3:16
Dec 30, 2012 It has been a great year. God has blessed me with another year with my wife, and many, many more blessings. I enjoy weddings, but even if I do not officiate
your wedding, please contact me so I may show you how to not only have a great wedding, but to have a marriage always filled with Joy & Love.
Dec 31, 2012 We had taken in a family of 6 which had no where to go. After about a month the family moved out on Dec 26, and we gave them a ride to a hotel. 5 days later
they break into our place while we are out at a store. They stole our safe with about $8,000 of jewlery, $1,000 of prescriptions, all of our important papers, and took
almost all the food.
This was a hard blow for us, but will not change us. We will never replace everything in the safe,
but we know God will bring us through this. We are blessed and thankful for everyone who has been praying for us, and we ask that everyone also pray for the saftey and salvation of the
couple who robbed us. Thank you.
Feb 1, 2013 Wow, I did not post at all in Jan. Did a lot of praying for the family who robbed us, my wife and I both had
a birthday, so it was a good month
Feb 1, 2013 Today is the 1st of Feb. Join us in a National Prayer Day. Pray for your family, neighbors, friends. Pray for the lost, and for the saved. Pray for our Country, and for the
World.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/National-Prayer-Day/103696253026047
May 10, 2013 I have found it difficult to keep up with this blog, but hopefully I can keep information here which will help other couples. I should just have an
automatic posting daily which says how much I love God and the wife he has provided me with, and how greatful I am for such a beautiful woman. Although we did have a disagreement last
month.
I thought I had given her a letter and she misplaced it, come to find out, I had left it in the Van. I was very sure I had given the letter to her, but when I went to the van. . . it was
sitting on the passenger seat, right where I left it. She is usually right, but this time, I so thought I was right. As a result, I cooked dinner. Of course roast and veggies in
a slow cooker is not much cooking, but she was happy
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