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Psalm 40 vs. 1-5 – Our God Who Lifts Us Out of the Mire

Apr 5th, 2010 by

 

Where your heart is there your focus will be also – it easy to get bogged down in the struggles of life – Our God calls us to look to him, they that do can know that he can reach us wherever we may be

Psalm 40 vs. 1-5  – Our God Who Lifts Us Out of the Mire

 I waited patiently for the LORD to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry.

He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground

LORD in this pluralist and secular nation the only thing that matters is to give things a try

It’s all right just do it, don’t worry about the consequences, the advertisers messages resound

To stand out to say and live in a way that speaks of you is hard in a world that is spiritually dry

Yet it is as I seek first your kingdom and its righteousness, that I can in your Spirit be found

You call me to lift my eyes up, to focus on what is right, to worship in Spirit and truth and not lie

You alone have the words of eternal life; you alone can lift me up put my feet on solid ground

And steadied me as I walked along, he has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise

To our God many will see what he has done and be astounded, they will put their trust in the LORD

I walk in the knowledge that even though I can be cast down, you lift me up, are with me all my days

You call me to witness to you in all my life, to seek your will, and to chew, meditate upon your word

As the hymn says there is no other way to be happy in Jesus unless we are prepared to trust and obey

May I witness of you, may people see your work in me, be astounded and put their trust in you LORD

Oh, the joys of those who trust in the LORD, who have no confidence in the proud,

Or those who worship idols, O LORD my God, you have done miracles for us,

David knew what it was to be under threat from his enemies to you he cried out loud

He knew that you alone could raise him up out of his troubles, over him fuss

He determined he wanted to worship you and you alone and to not follow the crowd

He followed you, he erred, yet could say for him and Israel you have done miracles for us

Your plans for us are to numerous to list. If I tried to recite

All your wonderful deeds, I would never come to the end of them 

Your plans for us today are so great, they shouldn’t fail to excite

Your ways, your thoughts are so high I cannot comprehend them

You delight in your people, and we are always in your sight

Our steps are ordered by you; you plan and go before them

Even though we fall, in us you take joy, have great delight

In all we do may we seek your plans and hold onto them

 

 

Mark Maffey, September 2007

(NLT)

Posted in POEMS, Poems - Psalms, Poems Old Testament | No Comments »

Isaiah 53 vs. 1-7 – Like A Lamb To The Slaughter

Mar 28th, 2010 by

As we contemplate Easter and the cost of the cross Isaiah 53 is a powerful place to begin. In this passage Isaiah eerily predicts the death of Christ and it challenges me afresh, how should I respond to the costliness of the gift given?

 

Isaiah 53 vs. 1-7  – Like A Lamb To The Slaughter

 Who has believed our message? To whom has the Lord revealed his powerful arm?

 My servant grew up in the Lord’s presence like a tender green shoot, like a root in dry ground.
Jesus came to this earth not in majesty but in a manger and was instantly at harm                                                 

Herod did not want competition and sought out newborn boys his worry was deep and profound                                                                                          

Divinely warned Mary and Joseph left Bethlehem to Nazareth where all was calm                                                                                             

Jesus grew in stature and wisdom and in favour with God and men, his belief in God was sound                                                                                               

Yet he kept below the radar, a carpenter, an ordinary man who did not swear or say darn                                                                                           

For 30 years he grew in favour with God and his love for him when the Spirit came did resound               

There was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance, nothing to attract us to him.
He was despised and rejected, a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief.                                                                                                                

Jesus knew what he was called to and demonstrated his Father and spoke of his kingdom                                                                                                

People saw him do mighty acts, were amazed by his oratory hoping he would give relief                                                                                       

From their oppression by the Romans, that they would be free and that it was not a whim                                                                                              

On Palm Sunday they thought he was to be a conquering king, Friday he was hung by a thief            
   

We turned our backs on him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care.                                   

Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down.                                                                                                 

On the cross he hung weeping for a people lost in sin, he did take their sin and he did it bear                                                                                      

At the end he cried out “My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?” he was down                                                                                            

 He was sad for his Father could not intercede for him, Jesus had to our sins take and bear                                                                               

In order that victory over Satan could be won Jesus had to die on the Cross and be down
 

And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God, a punishment for his own sins!
But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole.                                                                                   

Jesus endured more than we could imagine, yet he was without sin and died sad within                                                                                           

Separated from his Father, nevertheless he said “ Your will be done”, even though deep in his soul                                                                                

He wished the cup of death could be taken away, he died a horrible death for our sins                                                                                                    

Not because we deserved it, rather that we might from sin be set free and be complete, whole
      

He was whipped so we could be healed. All of us, like sheep, have strayed away.                                                       

We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on him the sins of us all.                                                                                          

He loved us so much he sent his Son to free us from sin, so over it us it wouldn’t hold sway                                                                              

We are not deserving of such love, such grace so amazing demands our love, our all                                                                                                

Yet so often we fail to give to him our worship, we fall and from his love we drift away                                                                                       

Jesus paid the price, he died for us nailed to cross the LORD laid on him the sins of us all                                                                                                              

He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet he never said a word. He was led like a lamb

To the slaughter, and as a sheep is silent before the shearers he did not open his mouth.                                                                                                 

He could have done many things to prove his Lordship, his critics did him verbally slam                                                                                      

They mocked and whipped him, they stood around him, much of what they said was uncouth                                                                                 

They will meet him on the day of Judgement and they will bow and worship the holy lamb                                                                                                   

Today the choice is yours will you worship the Lord? Will you sing will you open your mouth?                                                                  

Sing praises to him, at his name every knee will bow, every tongue confess worthy is the lamb

For he has redeemed us and we are free from sin, let us praise him with him all our youth

Mark Maffey, September 2008

(NLT)

Posted in Easter, POEMS, Poems Old Testament | No Comments »

John 14 vs. 1-6 – Jesus, the Way to the Father

Mar 21st, 2010 by

As Jesus continues to try and explain what lays ahead, the disciples continue to be perplexed and confused about what he was meaning. With the benefit of knowing how things transpired we can see what he was saying. Yet do we seek Jesus enough, do we trust him enough, for he is the way, the truth, the life. Without him there is no going, no knowing, no living

John 14 vs. 1-6 – Jesus, the Way to the Father 

“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room

In my Father’s home If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?

Jesus was trying to prepare the disciples for his eminent death and resurrection, upon them it did loom

They couldn’t comprehend that their master was pointing towards and they didn’t have his death in view

Jesus called upon them to trust in him and God even if they couldn’t see what was going to happen soon

Trust is difficult when you’re in the midst of turmoil and as Peter was find out denial of Christ would ensue

The subsequent days were dark, the disciples scattered after Gethesmane and they were filled with gloom

Holding on to our trust in God, keeping the faith are things that when we face difficulty, can fade from view

When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.

 And you know the way to where I am going.”  “No, we don’t know, Lord,” Thomas said.

Jesus makes a promise which the disciples don’t quite get. Thomas struggles to get with the program

What are you talking about Jesus, what planet are you on? Where are you going, what is ahead?

We too can struggle with what lies ahead and where life is going, but we shouldn’t let it our head cram

Jesus is our shepherd who knows his sheep by name, he is the one we should follow, let him take the lead

“We have no idea where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus told him

“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me

Thomas needed certainty a path to follow, to know things, to be enlightened, not dim

Jesus clearly replies, I am the way, the truth and the life, if you follow me then you’ll see

That which is going to happen and that what I have said is true, trust me go out on a limb

We too need to not be hamstrung by uncertainty, to seek our Lord, and get his view

As we seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, then we can grow to know and love him

And as we do we can walk his path, know that he is truth, and live with his love in view.

Mark Maffey, February 2008

(NLT)

Posted in POEMS, Poems - Easter, Poems New Testament | No Comments »

John 13 vs. 18-22 – Jesus Predicts His Betrayal

Mar 14th, 2010 by

As Easter comes upon us it is timely to revisit John Chapter 13 onwards. The final night before Jesus’s death and we see him telling his disciples some hard truths, which they struggle to grasp

These few verses demonstrate their uncertainty

John 13 vs. 18-22 – Jesus Predicts His Betrayal

“I am not saying these things to all of you; I know the ones I have chosen. But this fulfills the Scripture

That says, ‘The one who eats my food has turned against me.’ I tell you this beforehand,                                                          

For I chose you and appointed you to bear fruit, you responded to my call, I didn’t need to conscript you                                     

Over the last three years we have journeyed together, sharing all things, we have been a band                                          

I am your leader, I chose you and you have followed me, yet one of you is against me and is in plain view                                

I have demonstrated my love to you tonight by my actions, yet you struggle to me understand                                                 

In the days ahead there will be things that sadden and scare you, and there are things you will say and do

Know this not all of you are with me, for one of you is against me, I tell you this beforehand,     

So that when it happens you will believe that I Am the Messiah I tell you the truth, anyone who welcomes

My messenger is welcoming me, and anyone who welcomes me is welcoming the Father who sent me.”                               

 Don’t lose sight of who I AM, I have chosen you and you will speak and share my words, be my witnesses                

Stand on what I have told and shown you, for my words are my Fathers words, soon I will with him be                         

Who will stand with me? Whoever does not stand with me is against me, woe to him, for his end comes                   

I call you to be my messengers, those who welcome you, welcome me and the Father who sent me                 

Now Jesus was deeply troubled, and he exclaimed, “I tell you the truth; one of you will betray me!                      

” The disciples looked at each other, wondering whom he could mean.                                                                      

Eleven disciples were unaware of whom Jesus was speaking of, but Judas knew he was the one in view                             

He had already been bought by the authorities and on no one else could lean                                                         

Jesus knew what was ahead and the depth of his feelings was evident, the disciples could them see                            

It caused them much consternation, who is it, which one of us does he mean?                                                    

Eleven of them knew it wasn’t themselves, but Judas knew and I know I wouldn’t in his shoes want to be                                

I wonder how if I was there that night would I have picked who Jesus did mean                                                           

 We can easily get caught up in second guessing God, may we instead learn to be messengers, in Him be

Mark Maffey, June 2008

(NLT)

Posted in Easter, Poems New Testament | No Comments »

Psalm 103 vs. 1-9 – Let all that I am praise the Lord

Mar 7th, 2010 by

God desires, requires our whole-hearted praise. We are called to both be wholly devoted, and holy. This Psalm expresses these thoughts

Psalm 103 vs. 1-9 – Let all that I am praise the Lord

Let all that I am praise the Lord with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name.
Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me

For he is worthy of my praise he is Lord and without him my life would not be the same

He knows all about me, my every word, deed and need, in him I need to live and be.

Focussed on what he requires, he is worthy of my all, in him I wont’ be put to shame

This world doesn’t see him or what he does, but I know his love and him want to see

For his love for me is higher than any other, he first chose and appointed me by name

To bear fruit, fruit that will remain, I will praise him, I will not forget all he does for me

He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. He redeems me from death and crowns me with love

And tender mercies. He fills my life with good things my youth is renewed like the eagle’s!

I am weak but he is strong, I need to wait on him and hear his voice as he speaks from heaven above

It is easy to get tangled up in this world and the vices it offers, God questions us is it legal?

Is it what I have called you to be, listen to me, don’t get caught up in worldly games of push and shove!

But focus on what is right, I alone can change your heart, renew your strength like the eagle’s

The Lord gives righteousness and justice to all who are treated unfairly.

 He revealed his character to Moses and his deeds to the people of Israel.                                                                    

The LORD detests, abhors unrighteousness and injustice for it people pay dearly                                                                

 They will not prosper in their way even they think they can find the holy grail                                                                               

As Ecclesiasties 1v 2 puts it their endeavours are meaningless, meaningless, really                                                                            

God is righteous and just and he showed that clearly to the people of Israel                                  

The Lord is compassionate and merciful slow to get angry, and filled with unfailing love.                                            

He will not constantly accuse us, nor remain angry forever.                                                                                        

The reality is that if we try to do things in our own strength we will fall and need his love                                                             

If we are prepared to confess our sins he will them wipe over                                                                                                   

For he is righteous just to forgive our sins and will clean us and we will know his love                                                          

Our response should be to give him praise for he loves us forever!

Mark Maffey, July 2008

(NLT)

Posted in POEMS, Poems - Psalms | No Comments »

Isaiah 43 vs. 1-3 When You Walk Through The Fire

Feb 28th, 2010 by

The more I journey the more I am aware that there is no “easy street” In fact Matthew puts it this way  ” Narrow is the way that leads to salvation, wide the way that leads to destruction. Psalm 37 vs23-24 State that our steps are ordered by the Lord, and he delights in his way for us, even though at times we will stumble and fall, he is there pick us up with his righteous right hand. The reality is name it and claim it is not reality, nor is prosperity doctrine. Isaiah 43 vs 1-3 are far more realistic, there are going to be times when life is hard work , when we pass through deep water, and through fire. The assurance we can have is that God is with us every step of the way.

Isaiah 43 vs. 1-3 When You Walk Through The Fire

But now thus says the LORD, who created you, O Jacob

And he who formed you O Israel, fear not for I have redeemed you

In this world are many challenges, to these it is easy to succumb

To lose sight of your God, and accept a deceptive and different view

To feel pain, to be hurt and lost, to your God’s love to be numb

To be downtrodden, weary, days spent with your God to few

When just a small taste of his love, to receive just a crumb

Would be great, that your people would desire to return to you

I have called you be your name, you are mine

When you pass through the waters I will be with you

You are my people I take you out of darkness to shine

I call you to listen to my word, upon it to ponder and chew

Then you will have wisdom, and know where to draw the line

On me you can place your trust; I will never leave or forsake you

When you walk through the fire you shall not be burned

Nor shall the flame scorch you

I am with you all things, your need for my help won’t be spurned

Don’t be afraid you are my remnant, a chosen few

I am your God, don’t worry, instead pray to me, you need not be concerned

For I give you my peace, I will forever protect you

For I am the LORD your GOD, the Holy One of Israel, your Saviour

I gave Egypt for your ransom, Ethiopia and Seba in your place

You can trust in my love, in me you can know you have found favour

I am your God, and you are my people, how amazing is my grace

You are weak, you do stumble, and even then my love doesn’t waver

I am with you always; there won’t be a day when I disappear without trace

Mark Maffey, November 2005  (NKJV)

Posted in POEMS, Poems Old Testament | No Comments »

Isaiah 6 vs. 1-8 – Isaiah’s Commission

Feb 21st, 2010 by

Over the past few weeks I have been pointed back to Isaiah’s commission in Isaiah 6, it is an amazing picture, and as I have pondered the awesomeness of God in this picture, the train of his robe filled the temple, and the seraphs flying calling so loudly to each other “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.” that “At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke.” I can only imagine Isaiah’s amazement, wonder, fear,  and consternation, and worship. Have we become to I, me, we focused in our songs before our God? What is our picture of God, yes he is Abba Father, but he is also Our God, worthy of our praise, and our action “Take my life and let it be, whole consecrated unto thee. We are consecrated, set apart, we should be wholly God’s people, but are we? So often life distracts and takes us away from being in his presence, Like Mary in Luke 10 vs. 38-42 and David in Psalm 27 that the one thing we desire is to be in his presence, ready to worship and listen

Isaiah 6 vs. 1-8 – Isaiah’s Commission

In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe

Filled the temple, above him were seraphs, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces,

Imagine what Isaiah saw and how profound the vision must have been, The Lord in all his glory seated high above

The train of his robe so long and so large it filled the temple, his awesomeness so great seraphs covered their faces

They could not view his glory so great his radiance, so great, almighty and powerful their God, so worthy of their love

Isaiah must have been transfixed at this scene, so amazing the sight before him, to see the Lord who on him gazes

And as he watches he must begin to wonder why he is in the presence of the Lord who is seated on high above

And what else is he going to see, the seraphs each with six wings: with two wings they covered their faces,

With two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. And they were calling

To one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.”

Their worship of the their Lord clear, to him they gave honour and were to each calling

Rejoicing in him “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.”

The scope of his glory so great that it fills the whole earth, almighty, wholly enthralling

The seraphs clear: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.”

 At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke.                      

 “Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips,

Isaiah is overcome by what he sees and hears, it is outside his experience, shaking ground and holy smoke

“Woe to me” he cried, “I am ruined”, here I am unclean in my Lord’s sight, living among a people of unclean lips

 I am so unworthy how can I be in the presence of my Lord, what I am doing here in this place, in the smoke

What can this mean, why me! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips,

And my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty.” Then one of the seraphs flew to me with a live coal in his hand,

which he had taken with tongs from the altar.  With it he touched my mouth and said, “See, this has touched your lips;           

Then out of the smoke flies a seraph, with a live coal in his hand, fresh from the altar, scorching hot, yet in his hand    

Isaiah having cried he is a man of unclean lips, living among a people of unclean lips had the hot coal touch his lips   

This is an act of God to show that he has heard the cry of Isaiah, and  he is prepared to show Isaiah his healing hand         

Isaiah must have been totally overwhelmed by this experience imagine the seraph saying, “See, this has touched your lips;

Your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.”  Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying,                                          

“Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?”  And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”                                                                                          

Isaiah had only one response for his Lord, he could not do anything else but start obeying                                                     

To be the one sent to speak out to a people of unclean lips, “Here am I. Send me!”                                                                   

Is our world today any different, I ponder and say no it is not, are we reading to start hearing                                          

We are unlikely to have a vision like Isaiah’s but are we ready to say : “Here am I. Send me!                                              

Like Isaiah our guilt is taken away and our sin atoned for, by the work of Christ, in obeying                                                     

His heavenly Father, he paid the cost, what is our act of worship, will we say? “Here am I. Send me!

Mark Maffey, February 2010

(NIV)

Posted in POEMS, Poems Old Testament | No Comments »

Psalm 121 – I Lift My Eyes Up To The Hills

Feb 8th, 2010 by

 

Where do we look for help? Often the last thing we do is pray or spend time listening for and to God. God is always available to us, and as we in New Zealand are in the heat of summer and are feeling the effects of the sun striking us by day I can see where the psalmist is pointing. It is easy in the heat of the sun to be overwhelmed, to become tired and headachy to get sun stroke. In the same way spiritually if we are not careful we can get overwhelmed. In the Sermon on the Mount, Matt 6.33 Jesus  calls us to “seek ye first the kingdom of the God and all its righteousness” Will you look for God first!

The LORD is your keeper; the Lord is your shade at your right hand

The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night

Psalm 121 – I Lift My Eyes Up To The Hills 

I Lift my eyes up to the hills, from where will my help come?

My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.

I seek His face; He alone knows who I am, and what I’ll become

He is my creator, he has know me in the womb, before birth                      

He is aware of all my cares and needs, all of them, not just some

He listens to my concerns and doesn’t treat them with mirth

He calls me to listen to him fully, and not let my mind roam

For his word does not return void, he will guide me on this earth

He will not let your foot be moved, He who keeps you will not slumber

He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep

You can know Your God knows you by name, you are not a number

You may face challenges, sometimes they will be deep

The burden you carry may be heavy and you encumber

Your God is always with you and will to your rescue leap

The LORD is your keeper; the Lord is your shade at your right hand

The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night

He will protect you in all places; in the air, on the sea, and on land

He is your protection against Satan, for you He will fight

In times of difficulty, he is the one who carries you across the sand

Though you may fall, he upholds you, in you he takes delight

The LORD will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life

The LORD will keep your going out and your coming in from this time on and forevermore

He is your protector; he will overcome all your strife

He is always with you, you need not be afraid or dismayed, and He is the victor in the war

He has won the victory, His promise to you eternal life

He will lift you up, on eagles wings you will soar.

Mark Maffey, November 2005

(NRSV)

Posted in POEMS, Poems - Psalms, Poems Old Testament | No Comments »

Philippians 3 vs. 12-14 – Pressing On Toward The Goal

Feb 2nd, 2010 by

I’ve just been back to my home town. Going back inevitably raises memories some good and some bad. One of the challenges we do face in the Christian Life is going back over things we do not need to. We need to be able to come to a point where we place things which hold us back or haunt our minds at the foot of the cross and let go. Paul understood that he wasn’t perfect, far from it but nevertheless he pressed on toward the goal, he desired to comprehend and lay hold of what God desired and wanted for him.

Hopefully the words of this poem will be of value.

Philippians 3 vs. 12-14 – Pressing On Toward The Goal

 

Not that I have already attained or am already perfected, but I press on

That I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has laid hold for me

I know that I have much to learn, I need to sit at the feet of God’s Son

To comprehend what it is he has laid hold for me, to understand and see

I need to seek the Lord with all I am, and in life make him number one

For he is who I seek, I am not perfect, far from it, I can’t like him sinless be

Yet with his helper the Spirit I can seek to do his will, to in him press on

Looking to Christ seeking his face, holding in to all he has planned for me

Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended, but one thing I do

Forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forward

There is so much more I need to understand, at times life’s a zoo

It becomes so busy, that I lose sight of God time with him goes overboard

I am far from perfect, yet God loves me unconditionally even when I feel blue

He calls me to be one with him, to seek his face, and to move forward

Forgetting those things which are behind, seeking healing, pushing thru

For he knows his plans for me, his voice saying Christian soldier onward!

To those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal

Of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

I desire to march forward in time with him, with all my soul

For I have the hope that one day in heaven I’ll be with Jesus

Until that day I desire to serve and grow in him whatever the role

Nothing the world can offer compares to being one with Jesus

 

Mark Maffey, January 2006

(NKJV)

Posted in POEMS, Poems New Testament | No Comments »

Proverbs 3 vs. 5-8 – Trust in the Lord With All Your Heart

Jan 24th, 2010 by

Where your heart is determines what you focus on and how you live out your life. If we trust God first with all our heart he is enabled to guide us and direct our path.

Proverbs 3 vs. 5-8 – Trust in the Lord With All Your Heart

 

Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding

Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths

The world searches for understanding in divergent ways without comprehending

Yet of God it knows little of Him it scorns and laughs

We are called by him to tell his word, it seems hard to share to a world not listening

God will one day soon separate wheat from the chaff

Is your lamp light, are you ready? God is calling and he will be you to the world sending

Listen to him, for he has plan, he will direct will your paths

 

Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, Fear the LORD, and turn your back on evil

Then you will gain renewed health and vitality

On Jesus be your focus; be like him, humble, prepared to be a servant, open to his Godly will

As you seek him, seek him first in absolute fidelity

For he knows your heart, he knows your desires, he wants you, and in you his Spirit to instil

If you place your trust in him, you’ll find a new reality

 

Mark Maffey, October 2005

(NLT)

Posted in POEMS, Poems Old Testament | No Comments »

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