thrive

ThriveWhy thrive?

Because thriving is so much better than just surviving.

Too many of us are just surviving…

Do you desire better…

  • For YOU?
  • For your KIDS?
  • For your CHURCH?
  • For your FUTURE?

What if in the next thirteen months you knew that…

  • God has been faithful.
  • God will be faithful.

 

What Our People are Saying:

The mailer from our church came when I most needed it. My marriage was hurting and my search for God’s answers gave me a place to go and seek them.  It has given me the strength to change and find the peace, joy and hope I was greatly needing. -Bonnie
In my lifetime I’ve never attended church more than twice in a row, but that has changed since I came to this church.  It has given me hope when in all the deepest places in me, where I was reaching for it, I couldn’t find any before. -Jennifer
This is the only church that we have ever felt that we really belonged!  Thank you for keeping us interested and bringing us back every Sunday. We are thankful for you and Niki.  We are thankful for this church for turning our lives around. -Dusty and Stephanie

You can THRIVE!

The Thrive initiative is a NEW SEASON

FOR YOU AND FOR OUR CHURCH.

A Look Back at the Last Two Seasons:

2000-2007 :  Our church began in a living room, then moved to a school, bought 10 acres, built a building, 274 people accepted Christ, 124 people baptized and hundreds of lives changed

2008-2015: We hired a new Worship Pastor, changed our name (from Hill Country Fellowship to The Ridge Fellowship) changed our group and membership format, adjusted our mission, vision and values, hired a Student Pastor, established a location in Taylor, established a location in Jarrell.  1 church 3 locations!  Experienced a lot of hurt and loss, but still hundreds more lives were changed

2016 A NEW SEASON is here!   What can you see changing for the better this NEW SEASON?

Our goal: To be the church where God changes thousands of lives.

Things will get better and better. Depression days are over. They’ll THRIVE. The days of contempt will be over.  Jeremiah 30:19 (MSG)

Why thrive?

TO GROW OUR KIDS SPIRITUALLY

What age did you become a Christian?

Did you know that two out of three followers of Christ accept Him as their savior between the ages of 4-14?

Kids are a vital part of our church and the most open to know Christ. It is imperative that our kids have a safe and fun-filled environment where they can learn about Christ through age-appropriate curriculum and faith- based activities.

There is such a small window of time to build a solid foundation in the lives of our next generation that we need to put major prayer and resources toward this effort.  In Leander, we will seek an individual who is called, degreed, experienced and paid to lead this effort.  This person will continue to work with our many volunteers but will be able to devote a significant part of their time toward growing our kids spiritually.  *Mark your calendar for June 5th as we will bring a kid’s minster candidate to visit. (Taylor and Jarrell will continue with their leaders and volunteers help our kids grow spiritually.)

What input do you have to help our kids thrive?

What our people are saying:

I started working in the kid’s ministry because God called me to do more. I love it! I have found that I can help guide the kids to love God and show them examples of what God has done for me and is doing for them. -Michael.
I have worked in the kid’s ministry ever since I was a kid. I love how the kids are always so curious and ask questions about God. They want to know more and they want to learn. Kid’s ministry can be tiring, but it’s worth it when the kids smile at you when they walk in and want to learn more about God.  -Kaleb
I love working with the babies.  Through the years I’ve seen them grow from newborn to 10-year-olds and most of the kids never forget me.  -Val
I volunteer in the kid’s ministry because I feel our children are the future of this church and it’s important to ensure that they grow up knowing Christ.  -Dean

I will pour out my spirit on your children and my blessing on your descendants. They will THRIVE like well-watered grass, like willows by streams of running water.  Isaiah 44:3-4 (TEV)

Why thrive?

TO CONNECT PEOPLE TO CHRIST THROUGH MUSIC AND MESSAGES

Do you love to experience the presence of God?

Our weekend service is the place where those seeking a better way and those that are seeking to grow more like Christ intersect for an hour.  We want to make it the best hour of the week for all who attend.  The music, media, and message all have to perform in harmony to create an environment that is worthy of everyone’s attendance and worship time.  In Leander a called, full-time, paid, experienced and degreed Worship Pastor will be added to the staff to bring our weekend service to a new level.  *(Mark your calendar for June 5th as we will bring a worship candidate to visit and play in Sunday’s service).  Taylor will be bringing in a worship and youth candidate soon.  Jarrell will keep rocking and rolling with amazing Herman!

What other ways do you dream that we can thrive in our weekend services?

What our people are saying:

I have loved my Ridge family since the first time I walked through the door! Never, in all of my ….many….years, have I felt so wanted and welcomed. Thanks for the teachings and care of our wonderful pastors. -Karen
I love the Ridge Fellowship because it teaches the Bible and the people are very loving. -Val
I look forward to the message each week.  The message always delivers relevant information that I can apply toward my everyday life. -Rana
 

 When the righteous THRIVE, a city rejoices. Proverbs 11:10 (HCSB)

Why Thrive?

TO CREATE AN ATMOSPHERE WHERE PEOPLE EXPERIENCE CHRIST

Have you been in an atmosphere that inspired and moved you?

The landscaping and the physical aspects of our facility create a feeling and a lasting impression upon those who attend.  We are dreaming and planning to improve the atmosphere of our kid’s classes in Leander to complete our facilities upgrades in Taylor and to pay down our facilities in Jarrell.   Thrive will provide the opportunity to complete these dreams and plans.

What ideas do you have to create an atmosphere where people can experience Christ?

Planted in the house of the LORD, they THRIVE in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age, healthy and green.  Psalm 92:13-14 (HCSB)

The Thrive initiative is a NEW SEASON.

THE THRIVE SERIES AND OFFERING

Beginning May 8th of 2016, Darrell and the other teachers will teach an engaging and testimony-filled series for five weeks that is designed to help everyone move together from just surviving to really thriving.

  • Thrive will begin a brand new season for The Ridge Fellowship!
  • It’s you thriving.  It’s your family thriving.
  • It’s The Ridge Fellowship thriving.

What Our People are Saying:

This church is amazing!! Being in the military moving every few years makes it hard to settle down anywhere and make any real friends. But from day one everyone in this church has been amazing to my girls and me. This church, not only preaches a good word, but lives by it also. This is the first place away from home in my 12 years in the military I can actually call home with awesome family members. I love you all, and thank you!!!  -Jamelia
This church has been a steady source of encouragement and fun to me.  In hard times and in good times, being involved always gives me a sense of purpose and direction. -Michael
The first time I stepped through the door, I was welcomed with warm smiles and left with a sense of belonging.  My family has been through some trauma, through all of the pain and trials, but my church family has always been there to provide support. -Janet

THE THRIVE OFFERING

The Thrive offering is a two part offering where we bring our best to God to fund our mission.

  • On June 5th we’ll bring our best one-time over and above gift to help the mission of The Ridge Fellowship thrive.
  • On June 5th we’ll bring a commitment card for thirteen-months to help the mission of The Ridge Fellowship thrive moving forward.

Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will THRIVE like a green leaf.
Proverbs 11:28 (NIV)

The Thrive initiative will help us remember that…

  • GOD HAS BEEN FAITHFUL
  • GOD WILL BE FAITHFUL

 What Our People are Saying:  

The Ridge Fellowship is supportive if you need anything. There always someone you can count on. -Jordan
We have gained a lot of joy and peace from being at this church. -Susan
THE RIDGE FAMILY IS AWESOME!! I love the concept of three churches and one GOD. I love the pastors at all three locations. – Michael
 

  Know that the LORD your God is FAITHFUL, keeping His covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love Him and keep His commands. Deuteronomy 7:9 (NIV)

THE OUTCOME IS SIMPLE

  • Our kids and the next generation thriving
  • Our weekend services thriving
  • People thriving
  • The Ridge Fellowship thriving
  • Thousands of lives changed

Keep the words of this covenant, put them into practice, and you will THRIVE                                  in everything you do. Deuteronomy 29:9 (NJB)

What Our People are Saying:

There are no “false” fronts or “fake” people.  I receive “unconditional love” from everyone here. What a pleasure it is to go to church and know that you are going to be received with open arms. -Cathy
This church and Darrell have shown me that there is this “different” type of church and pastor. I never knew that a pastor could be someone that seems like anyone and I could just hang out with. They (other churches and pastors) always seemed so unapproachable. -Craig
I love how we don’t care who you are; anyone is welcome here.  You don’t have to dress fancy. We are welcoming and we are a family. -Kaleb
The Ridge Fellowship has been a launch pad for my family’s relationship with Christ. It has been a place of friendship, support and encouragement. -Dean

Are you ready to thrive?

Darrell

http://www.RidgeFellowship.com

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Prayers that are Different Part 2

Dare to Be DifferntPrayer is an act of giving and receiving and Jesus says there are six things we can give to God in prayer in Matthew 6:9-13.

  1. I give God my respect or honor.

9 “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.” Jesus was the first person to get us address God by calling him father. It’s a revolution. In the Old Testament God is referred to as Father 10 times. 1st 39 books – 10 times, but in the gospels – 160 times! “Father” This is a revolution.  Not. “Oh distant unknowable mystic force in the vast expanse beyond”  We call God father, a term a endearment.  We are not to come cowering to God in fear.

“…Hallowed be your name.”  He’s talking about respect.  We start prayer by honoring God.  Honor is thanking God for who and what He is. It could also be called praise. To praise God means to prize God, to value Him, to esteem Him. It means to brag on God. “God, You are good” That’s what it means to praise or honor God.

Why should I honor God? Because it gets my focus off myself and onto God so I can talk to Him.

  1. I give God priority in my life.

 The second part of prayer is to commit myself to God’s will. I give Him my life. Notice it says, “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” (verse 10)

I often have to remind myself, life is not about me building my kingdom, but God’s.  Also God has a will for my life.  Part of prayer is saying, “God, what is your will for me today? The problem is, God’s will is not always done. That’s why we’re to pray, “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Why? Because in heaven, God’s will is done perfectly. On earth it is not done perfectly.  My will gets in the way of God’s will!

Once we have done those two things: given God our respect and our priority in life – then Jesus says there are four other requests that you can make that categorize every need you’re ever going to have.

  1. I give God my worries

11 “Give us this day our daily bread.” Bread represents the necessities of life — our physical needs and material needs. God wants us to pray instead of worry. He’s promised to provide all our needs.  Philippians 4:19 “My God shall supply all of your needs.”

It’s interesting the phrase “daily bread“.  The word daily in the Greek is the word epiousios.  The only time this word is used in all of Greek literature is right here.  It’s only used once in the Bible and it’s not found in any other Greek document in history.  Many Bible scholars thought Matthew made the word up, until in 1945 when they discovered the Dead Sea Scrolls.  They found a little fragment of paper at the side in the cave.  It was a shopping list — a several thousand year old shopping list.  That word was on the shopping list — epiousios. It was a category of things to buy at the market, which represented perishables.  They didn’t have refrigerators in those days so some things you had to buy every day.  He’s saying, “Give me today what I need for today so I don’t have to worry about it.”

What do you need today?  Energy to make it through the day? Finances? Wisdom?  Give me today my daily bread.  Remember manna in the Old Testament?  God gave it, God provided it, but it spoiled if you tried to keep it longer than a day.  God wanted them to trust Him moment by moment.

Philippians 4:6 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”  It says, in everything.  I would be embarrassed to tell you some of the prayer requests I’ve made in my life.  Some are kind of silly or petty or not really of major importance.  But it doesn’t embarrass God.  God says we can pray about everything.  If we prayed as much as we worried, we’d have a lot less to worry about.  Give God our worries.

An Aggie bought a parrot that only said, “Let’s make out.”  He was embarrassed. Someone he knew at church had a parrot and it would say, “let us pray.” The aggie thought he should get his parrot with the religious parrot and be taught some manners.  He puts his parrot in the cage with the religious parrot & says, let’s make out’ the other parrot exclaimed, “My prayers are answered!”

Nothing is too insignificant for His care.  We can talk to Him about anything. I have discovered that the more specific I am, the quicker God is able to answer the prayer.  When we say, “God, bless me”, what does that mean?  God, give me a bunch of things?  How are we going to know if He answered it or not?  What’s a blessing? Sometimes a blessing is a problem.  We’d better be careful when we pray, “God, bless me.”

  1. I give God my guilt.

“…forgive us our debts…” (verse 12a)  That’s the next category of prayer.  All of us have regrets.  All of us make mistakes.  All of us fall short.  I don’t come up to my own standard, much less God’s.  It’s not very hard to admit you’re not perfect.

Even though I have regret and guilt there is no reason to carry it as a burden. God has made a provision for that in Christ’s death on the cross. What do we do?  It is called confession.  We don’t repress it, or suppress it.  We confess it.  That’s how we get rid of guilt. God says, “I will cleanse you” (1 John 1:9)  and He forgives us instantly, totally, completely, freely, continuously.  He says one of the benefits of prayer is that I can unload my guilt.

God wants to forgive you.

  • We don’t have to Beg God  “God, please!  Pretty please with sugar on it!”.
  • We don’t have to Bargain with God (“God, if you forgive me, I will never do it again.”) If that’s your area of weakness, you’ll be back there within a day or two.
  • We don’t have to Bribe God — “God, if You’ll forgive me, I promise to always read my Bible.”

Next,

  1. I give God those who hut me.

Prayer involves other people and our relationships, because relationships are important.  “Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” (verse 12)  In life I get hurt by others sometimes intentionally, sometimes unintentionally.  How I handle that hurt determines my peace of mind.  When I bottle up hurt and hold onto it, it will poison my life.

Since I have been freely forgiven, I too should freely forgive.  Others shouldn’t have to beg, bargain or bribe me to be forgiven.  I’ve learned to not confuse forgiveness and trust.  Forgiveness should be immediate for others, but trust takes time.

In my marriage the times I’ve felt closest to Niki, have been times after a major blow‑up. It took time, but we both confessed to each other, asked forgiveness, then we pray together.

In prayer, I  give God my respect.  I give Him priority. I give Him my worries.  I give Him my guilt.  I give Him those who have hurt me.  This is what prayer is all about.  See how practical it is?

Then …

  1. I give God my temptations and weaknesses.

“… And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one.” (verse 13)

Hebrews 4:15 says Jesus experienced every temptation known to man, the same ones we do.  It is not a sin to be tempted.  It is a sin to give in to temptation.

When I pray, “God, I’m struggling in this area.  I’m not making it here.  I keep stumbling.  I keep falling, please help me.” Jesus knows what it’s like to have people leave, to be stressed, to be angry, to be misunderstood, to be lonely. He understands it all, every temptation and every weakness. Prayer is asking God to help me overcome temptation and have strength through my weaknesses.

Prayer meets all of our deepest needs; physical, emotional, and spiritual.

There’s an overlooked element that many people miss.  What is the powerful key to prayer?

  • Praying together

“OUR Father… give US … OUR daily bread … forgive US … OUR debts … as WE have forgiven OUR debtors … lead US not into temptation … deliver US …”  All of the nouns are plural.  Nine times!

There is power in group prayer.   That’s why we all need to get in a Growth Group.

People say, “I just pray by myself.”  Then you’re missing out on one of the major benefits of being a Christ follower.  Praying with others is powerful.

If you’ve never prayed with other people, here are two suggestions.  Start by praying aloud when you’re alone to ear the sound of your own voice.

Then begin to pray at meals.  Our family holds hands together and not the same person prays every time.

Jesus teaches us some great insights on how to pray.  I hope these principles help you grow in prayer, grow spiritually and grow closer to Christ.

Darrell

www.RidgeFellowship.com

 

 

 

 

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Prayers that are Different

Dare to Be DifferntCNN Talk Show host, Larry King, wrote a book called Powerful Prayers.  King is not a believer, He admits in the introduction of the book that he’s agnostic, (he doesn’t know if there’s a God or not) but over the years he has interviewed so many people that he was overwhelmed that prayer is such an important part of their lives.

Every poll taken says that people pray regularly.  It’s a universal fact that people everywhere pray.  Not just Christians, even 17% of all Atheists pray!

Larry King says that if he were to pray, he did not know who or what to pray to.  He sought out a Jewish Rabbi. One of the things that he wanted the rabbi to show him was how to pray.  In the New Testament book of Luke chapter 11 the disciples asked Jesus, “Teach us how to pray.”  Prayer was so important to Jesus that he spent a good section of the Sermon on the Mount teaching about it.

The typical prayers that are prayed can be selfish.  If I’m not careful, prayer can be all about me and what I want.  Prayers can also be for show.  Prayers that are only focused on self or focused on impressing others are may be normal but what Jesus teaches us about prayer is different.

Throw out every idea you’ve ever had about prayer for now.  Have an open mind to hear what Jesus says about prayer. In Matthew 6, which is in the Sermon on the Mount, gives us three guidelines on how to pray.

 1. Be Real

In Matthew 6:5 Jesus says, “When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men.”  In the New Testament times, the Pharisees were pros at phony prayers, they were not real but showy. The Pharisees prayed at 9 a.m.,12 noon, and 3 p.m. every day — just like drinking Dr. Pepper.   Prayer became a show, a chance to be seen by others not a real conversation with God.

Two things I try to remember in praying.

  • I don’t need to try to impress others with my prayers.  Have you ever heard a prayer prayed and when they finished you wanted to go, “Wow!  What a performance!”  It sounded so good and you thought that it was great. 

Or have you ever been in a prayer group and everybody’s praying around a circle and you’re thinking, “There’s only three left until me… only two left… only one… I’m next!  What am I going to say that hasn’t already been said?  What are they going to think?”  The moment I stop worrying about what other people will think and just be myself the easier it is to pray.  God doesn’t care how I say it, but what comes from my heart that is real.

  • I don’t need to try to impress God with my prayers.  Often I pray things that I think God wants me to say, rather than praying what’s really on my heart.

The second guideline:

  1. Be Removed

“But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”

Did you see the movie “War Room?”  I recommend it if you haven’t! It’s a great movie on the power of prayer and having a special place like a closet where you can focus on prayer.  Why?  It helps to remove the distractions.  Also each time you see this place it can also serve as a reminder to continue to pray.  A place of prayer is somewhere you can focus on God, clear your mind, be quiet for a minute, and just tune into God.

That’s why we close our eyes.  Not because the Bible says so or that it is holy but it helps remove distractions.   The third guideline:

  1. Be Relational

God is a relational God.  We shouldn’t do all the talking.  Jesus says

verses 7-8 “And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.”

In prayer I don’t want to keep on babbling.  Prayer is a conversation.  There are times I talk and there are times I need to listen.

In the past I tried to copy other people’s prayers.  I got caught up in all of these religious clichés:  “lead, guide and direct us”, “bless this food to the nourishment of our bodies”, “bless the gift and the giver”, “God, help so and so…”.  Our favorite word… when we don’t know what to say, we say the word “just” — “God, we just want you to do this, Lord, we just thank you,”  It’s a filler word.   Do you get tired of religious clichés?  I do.

I love to hear new Christians pray. They haven’t learned the clichés yet.  They just say, “Hi God.  It’s me. What’s up with you?”

Be relational, not fancy or pompous.  Can you imagine if I walked in the door at night and my 7 year old daughter Danielle says, “Oh, almighty procreator of our family.  How wonderful thou art, who sovereignly deposits toys for me.  Oh, the majesty of thy wonderful self!  We beseech thee to come eat dinner with us.”  I’d check her pulse and temperature! And call the Poison control center.   I want her to say, “Hey! Daddy’s home.  Good to see you, dad!”

I’m not saying be flippant.  God is more than “The Big Man Upstairs.” He is our Father.  Jesus said, “Pray Abba Father” which means “Daddy.” We don’t have to use fancy language.  Prayer is a genuine conversation with God.  He knows me and he knows my needs. I can be real and be relational, and share what is really on my heart.  I can also listen.

Those are good guidelines.  What do I say?  Fortunately, Jesus tells us.  He gives us a model in verse 9, “This, then, is how you should pray…”  It does not say, “This, then, is exactly what you should pray.”  In the Bible, we are never commanded to pray the Lord’s prayer, He says, “This is how you should pray.”  Not the exact the wording, but a model, a framework, and an outline by which we can learn to pray.

Prayer is an act of giving and receiving and Jesus says there are six things we can give to God in prayer.    We’ll look at those in the next post.

Darrell

www.RidgeFellowship.com

 

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Thinking That’s Different

Dare to Be DifferntOne of my biggest struggles in life is worrying about what other people think.  I have a disease called, “the need to please.”  Do you have this struggle? This is especially true when it comes to following Christ.  I want to make other people happy. I don’t want them to think I’m different. I want them to like me and I want to blend in. Whenever I feel like God is leading me to do something, the very first thought that drops into my mind is, “What are the people going to think? How will this affect others and my relationships?  Are they going to understand?

A verse that helps me a lot is Proverbs 29:25, “Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.

The Hebrew word means a trap, a snare or a hook that was put into an animal’s nose.  I don’t know if you’ve ever seen a bull that has a ring in their nose. With just a small ring and a small rope a 200 pound man can lead a 2000 pound bull where ever he wants.  Fear of what people think will prove to be like a hook in your nose and lead you away from what God wants.

God might lead you to watch much less TV because it takes up so much time and it robs you from time with your family.  Just as decide to do this; you are going to wonder, “What are people going to think if I don’t watch TV,” and “I don’t know what’s going on with the Kardashians?

Or you might say, “I believe God is leading us to be a foster parent.” And you’ve already got three kids and you’re wondering, “Well, what’s my mom going to think?” and “What’s my in-laws going to think?”

God may be leading you to give more financially to his work.  Then you wonder, ‘what will my family think?  Will they think I’m crazy?”

What is God leading you to do, but you are afraid of?

We may not do what God is leading us to do because we’re afraid of what people are going to think.

Here’s what has hit me like a ton of bricks, becoming obsessed with what people think about me is the quickest way to forget what God thinks about me.   Or said another way, living to please people is a barrier to living to please God.  People didn’t die on a cross for me, forgive me, cleanse me, give me peace, joy and purpose, Jesus did.

I have to continually deal with the inward struggle of the need to please people.  “Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.”  

Another struggle is that when I do step out to follow Christ, then comes the criticism!  When I face criticism, I begin to think, “What if they are right?” How do you handle criticism?   I’ve learned that when I follow Christ and start living differently people will notice.

These are things I’ve heard through the years.  You may hear them too,

“Hey, what’s up with you? What are you doing going to church all of the time!”  “Why are you going to a group meeting again? Why are you giving money to church? That’s stupid!”

“Why are you going to serve the homeless or help the needy or go on a mission trip? You are wasting your time!”

“Hey, why don’t you go to the strip club or party with us? What are you, Mr. Goody Two Shoes?”

“Come on, we used to smoke weed together or get drunk! Come back! Oh I get it, you think you’re better than us, you’re Mr. Holier Than Thou!”

When they make fun of us and criticize us and even persecute you, remember the words of Jesus, John 15:18-19. He said:

If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.”

Receiving criticism is a part of being different; it’s a part of following Christ. It’s a part of leaving the normal road that leads to destruction and getting on the narrow road that leads to life.  Those on the normal path don’t like when you do something different.

Here’s what I try to remember, I don’t want to worry too much when people criticize me for being different.  I want to worry when they don’t! Because if they don’t, chances are I’m too much like the world.  If no one makes fun of you for the way you follow Christ, you may be blending in and traveling with the crowd.

Last thought, I can’t please everyone, but I can please God.

No matter what I do, I will not please everyone, so I should stop trying.  But I can please God and that’s what matters most.

Darrell

For more about the series, Dare to Be Different, go to www.RidgeFellowship.com

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