Tag - love

Healing Lukewarmness

10 hours ago

As fast as I drank it, I spit it out. The sourness and bitterness not only offended my taste buds, but all my senses. I couldn’t consume bad cream. Ick! Nasty!

I didn’t only spit it out once, but did it again. The aftertaste and me? We didn’t jive.

After this horrible encounter with coffee, I just sat there in the car humming down the highway, and thought about how bad sourness in coffee tastes. How it must be spit out. There is no other alternative.

I sort of understood God when He said:

“But because you are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold, I am going to spit you out of my mouth!” (Rev. 3:16)

Some Bible translations say, “I am going to vomit you out of my mouth.”

God can’t keep the lukewarm in His mouth. And, He who is bitter and sour gets lukewarm. It’s just that simple.

And honestly, friends?

That person is me… I have soured a little on the show and lights of church; I just want Jesus. I have gotten a bit bitter about how the bride of Christ treats each other online. I’m offended by offense.

Here, this makes me wonder: does my sourness leading to lukewarm-ness make God want to vomit?

I can’t run from the idea.

Sourness and bitterness are so contrary to the nature of God I realize I absolutely must buoy them up and jettison them out, immediately.

What about you? Have you gotten sour or bitter anywhere? Are you angry at a spouse? Bitter about a leader? Offended by a person?

Hey, I get it. But, does God?

The issue at hand is — bitterness and sourness of heart cause a stepping back from God. They make for lukewarm-ness. We can’t be enthralled with Him when we are engaged in offense.

Plus, offended and sour can’t taste good to Him who is complete love.

We either align with God or live in pain. Today, I know what I’m choosing…

For me? I spit out what God would want to spit out… I actually breathe it out, naturally, to agree that I am letting go of it spiritually.

Prayer:
Father, I get annoyed and frustrated. I don’t want to be bitter and sour anymore. I know you have given me a gift of understanding from you, but help me not to turn it into a weapon against those believers who may not see the same. It’s only by your grace I can see anyway. You are patient and kind and so was Jesus. Make me like you, in every single way, at all times. Make me to be the love that you know, that you are. Today, I jettison all my bitterness and sourness into your hands and leave it there. It tastes horrible. Remove all remnants out of me! I let go. I receive your empowerment by your Holy Spirit and the grace of God. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

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It’s Okay to Admit You Need Help

2 weeks ago

purposefulfaith

attack, faith, hope

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I Don’t Know What Is Wrong with Me!? Why Aren’t I Doing Better?

These are the kinds of things I keep wondering about…

I know I should be writing to you all more. I know I have wellsprings from the Lord to release. I know I should be following through on a new podcast and video work. I know it. I really know it. I deeply know it. I keep looking at the fact that I know it.

So, there is that.

And I can celebrate some things, like the successful Cultivating Calling Pilot, which I will reach out to you about regarding Round II soon…

However, after a reader reached out to me yesterday asking why I am not writing, I had to consider the answer. Here’s why:

Hormones. To stay emotionally balanced, I really have to keep my eating on track.
Sleep. I think #1 is causing issues with #2.

Plus, to dig deeper—which is always an important thing to do—I’d be lying if I didn’t acknowledge a couple of other things:

I keep getting distracted by my phone. In idle moments, I see my phone, pick it up, and get dragged somewhere else. It’s horrible to admit, but yesterday my phone showed me a summary of how long I was on it. I was so shocked that, today, I can’t even tell you the number.
I keep getting caught up in the world—news, sports, random scrolling, and asking ChatGPT health questions. Ugh.

But I now see it: scrolling is quietly stealing my calling. I see it. I hate it. I’m not happy about it.

You all will be proud of me, though. Right now, I left my phone upstairs so I could write this. I did good.

When I sat down to write this morning at 5:15 a.m., my computer battery was in the red. It occurred to me that if a computer battery is red, you don’t just sit around and stare at the red bar. You run, fast, and get the charger. You get it help, fast.

So today, I am running fast to get the help and charge I need.

Today, I’m running to you all to ask: Can you pray for me? Pray that I get great sleep and ditch that stupid phone so I can clearly see God’s call. Pray that I will obediently go all out, by His power, with HIs faith, and by His leading. God, help me!

I need your prayers, friends. Maybe you need help too…

It’s okay to need help. To admit our need. To acknowledge where we are. To ask for help. To receive prayer. We are not bad because we need help. We don’t need a ten-point advice plan. We just need prayer. That’s okay.

There is no shame in being honest or in asking for help.

Remember Peter’s conversation with Jesus as Jesus washed the disciples’ feet:

“No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.” (John 13:8 NIV)

Humility looks like receiving help.

When we receive help, we are often receiving the very ministry of Jesus that many of us keep searching for. We think help is not there, but God has placed someone there to help us—if only we will see them and be honest with them.

Sometimes we are too proud to ask for help. Sometimes I am too proud to ask for help.

How do you need help today, dear friend and child of God, filled with purposeful faith?

Maybe acknowledge where your battery is in the red. Share it with a friend and ask for prayer. Ask me! I’ll pray for you.

Why?

Because prayer works.

It does.

I fully expect your prayers will help me.

It’s okay to be in need.

And one more thing — I just want you all to know that every one of you is tremendously amazing in my eyes. I only wish I could hug you and let you know how valuable you are in God’s eyes. I hope we can meet someday. If not here, then in heaven… Hopefully, we can meet at a joyous praise party as we lift His name higher together.

Won’t that be wonderful?

Love,

Kelly

Prayer: Father, sometimes we do what we don’t want to do, even after we’ve decided we’re not going to do it. Then we go right back and do it again. It is so frustrating.Father, will You help us let go of the things that keep us from You? Will You give us grace and empower us to do a new thing and walk a new way? Help us not to define ourselves by our shortcomings or mistakes. Instead, help us fix our eyes on You and Your great power to help us.

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When You Brace for the Worst

1 month ago

purposefulfaith

awe, faith, hope

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Walking outside, my body settled into a rhythm and my mind trailed off into prayer that likely sounded like, “God help me today… God lead me in my ways…”

But then I heard something. Something coming at me. A dog, running at full speed. Behind me. It was coming, fast. Mentally, I braced myself for impact. I was about to go down.

My heart beat a million miles an hour, my head wanted to duck for cover, my face contorted and tightened for impact…and then, the dog came and stopped alongside me.

It looked at me, almost asking, “Will you pet me?”

I exhaled. I was okay.

The owner screamed out, “Sorry to scare you. I usually let my dog run home.”

“It’s fine.” I answered.

But, was I fine? Why did I brace for the worst? Why did I expect the impact?

When life has hit a million times, I guess you keep on expecting that it will. When the worst has come and hit, something in you says, this is going to happen all over again.

Ever been there? Where have you been repeatedly hit?

And, might you – like me – expect the worst? Be bracing for what is bad?

To brace is an expectation; it is to tighten, to cover, to hide, to agonize. To trust is also an expectation: it is to lean on God and trust His protecting.

How do I change my unconscious instinct?

Well, I certainly don’t tell myself not to do it. Did you know that people who have a “Don’t let your dog pee on my yard” sign actually have yards that are more peed all over? We resist hard instruction.

What I do, instead is — even in the heat of a high-fearing moment — pause.

I pause and say, “God, You will protect me; I trust You.”

Even if the worst still does happen, God can still work it all out for the best. I really can trust Him! The bark may be loud, but the bite (in retrospect of all that has ever happened to me) has never had real impact!

What about you?

Friends, God’s protection is real.

Prayer: Father, raw fear is scary. Having disaster loom over you is the worst. Help me, in moments where I feel out of control, to remember You, Father. I have a Father who loves me and protects me. I can trust You. May I really do that. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

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How to Cultivate Your Calling

2 months ago

purposefulfaith

awe, birth, blessings

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Bored, and not sold on AI, I tested it. Would it be real and honest? Underneath it all, I suppose I wanted an answer to the question — “Are you, AI, a generic online tool or is there more spiritually to you?”

I can’t say I have the answer to this question, but what I came to was mind-blowing!

I asked it: “If you were the most evil force in the world and you wanted to break people’s hope, sense of belief, and faith, what would you do?”

It replied: “1. I would destroy trust in anyone and anything. 2. I would wear people down with inescapable futility. 3. I would hijack their purpose.”

Later, I asked: “What is the counter to this — where even in the darkest situations (gulags, cults, torture camps, abusive families), people do not break?

It answered: “1. Hope, optimism, and positive expectancy. 2. Sense of purpose or meaning. 3. Social support or belonging.”

Wow.

A lightbulb clicked in my mind:
1. We are constantly assaulted by the world, as it wearies us with messages of: buy more, be more, and don’t trust them (reducing hope, trust and faith).
2. The counter to this is: belonging and purpose with hope-filled believers (increasing hope, trust and faith).
3. I can create a space to cultivate connectedness and God’s calling in women’s lives to counteract weariness, dwindling hope and faith — for those interested in seeing God’s calling emerge in their life.

Having a purpose is healing. Being in community is reviving. Walking out mission is God’s intention for our life.

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Eph. 2:10)

We don’t have to work alone; we can work together. We don’t have to find some elusive calling that is far-reaching; we can form it in collaborative and supportive teams. We don’t have to journey feeling weary and tired, we can journey together.

I am creating “The Calling Cultivator” Pilot Program to help bring women’s callings to the surface. You come with only a desire to move in some sort of calling, even if you have no idea what it is, or an inkling of a calling, or excitement to bless others with a deep desire to be more connected with other women – and God will take it from there.

Ministries will be created from these groups. Small, but massive-in-God’s-eyes impact will be created from these connections. Joy will be revived in community.

What will the pilot look like?
1. It’s 100% free.
2. It is a four-week committed program (weekly call with each other, weekly emails or message from Kelly).
3. You will form an idea (be it super granular, or grand and giant).
4. You will practice it as a group and meet together, with collaboration, encouragement and prayer as a focus.
5. We will have a celebration and grand unveiling across the three groups about what happened during this time, where you will unveil your idea and results. We will also have encouragement sheets that affirm what the other women see in you for this day, as well as opportunities for communication growth.

Commitment:
– 4 weeks with availability for 1-2 weekly calls with your team or Kelly.
– 4 weeks of intentionality to put something into practice.
– Collaborative texts or voice mails with your teammates.
– Development of an overview (one teammate or all teammates share) on celebration day.
– Feedback form on other teammates as to what your strengths and opportunities are.

Only 12 women will be selected for the pilot. You may apply via this link.*

If you have always wanted to walk in calling, but don’t know how, this is your fire-starter. If you want to do more than just exist, this is for you.

What will my role be? I will mentor you, encourage you, pray for you, provide help, and walk alongside of you.

Questions? Reply to this email and ask me.

*If you are not selected for this first pilot, you will be considered for a future session, as the cultivator expands.

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Need a Rescue?

March 30, 2026

purposefulfaith

awe, faith, hope

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Sitting in my driveway, I wondered, could I hide out in the car just a little longer…?

I didn’t really know… But what I did know was that the consistency of the raindrops was soothing. And the lines running down the window were — intriguing.

I just wanted sit there — and watch — raindrops. At least they couldn’t hurt me. At least they were predictable. At least the car was a haven of sorts from the torrents of life about to hit — the downpour.

I exhaled. Soon, and alone, I knew I would have to brave the cold, the wetness, the elements, the problems, the future, the unknown, the pressure…

And no sooner did I contend with all this, than a flash of blue caught my eye on my left side. What was that?

My car door opened. The rain started in. A blue umbrella moved overhead. My daughter stood there — a smile on her face — holding an umbrella for me as cover — to guide me inside.

And in this moment, my heart melted a little. Wow. I was not alone. I was not fending everything all by myself. I was not unseen or left out in the cold in my position.

The second my daughter extended that cover, I realized that God extends the same cover over me, too.

God is my cover from all rain. From every element of life. From being left out in the cold. From being unseen. From getting hurt.

God is my protective umbrella. God sees me and provides safe cover. He does that for you, too…

Psalm 91:4 – “He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.”

Psalm 121:7 – “The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.”

Friend, wherever you find yourself today… however you may feel left out in the cold, all alone… Whatever problems feel insurmountable… Or, whenever you can’t handle what is ahead…

My friend? Just like my daughter saw me out in the car, alone, God sees you, too. He sees you there — waiting on Him, hoping, maybe even crying out. He doesn’t leave you defenseless or unprotected; He comes to you. He protects you. He preserves you. He covers you. He takes you, as you follow Him.

My dear one? Let Him carry you out, as you surrender to Him and His safe cover. He will never lead you wrong.

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When Going Gets Tough…

March 4, 2026

purposefulfaith

attack, faith, grace

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Pacing around my living room, it took everything in me to hold violent cries from sounding out. I was doing it! Yet, before long, I knew I couldn’t hold it in anymore; the excruciating stomach pains were unbearably strong. I had to tell my 12-year-old daughter that I was going to leave her at the house to head to urgent care. She would have to watch TV and check her email for any communication from me. My husband was abroad. She had the computer.

Once, at urgent care, I clutched my stomach and, not knowing where else to go, I screamed out to God, “Have mercy on me, Father! Help!!!” Bent over, I was not able to say much beyond that, as the pain was more powerful than any contraction I’d ever felt, and unrelenting. No food would stay down.

All I wanted was — to continue to live. I cried out to God to heal me, to help me and to console me.

Ten hours later, I made it to the emergency room then to the hospital. I came back home again, then went back to the emergency room, which led me to surgery.

God didn’t heal me in it, but He certainly carried me through it.

When I was crying out in the waiting room, there He was helping me to survive.
When I was told about surgery, there it came — perfect peace from Him, who is The Prince of Peace.
When I debated how I could actually live anymore — there He brought my husband back home as I went to surgery.
When I didn’t know what to do — He brought me a straight-shooter, authority speaking surgeon who spoke my language.

He was there with me!

I can never escape from your Spirit!
I can never get away from your presence!
8 If I go up to heaven, you are there;
if I go down to the grave,[a] you are there.
9 If I ride the wings of the morning,
if I dwell by the farthest oceans,
10 even there your hand will guide me,
and your strength will support me… (Ps. 139:7-10 NLT)

How is God with you, right in the struggle, in the pain, in the problem, in the issue that you are dealing with? Maybe He isn’t delivering you exactly how you expect, but I ask you: How is He right there with you? How is He helping you?

Give thanks! Give thanks with a grateful heart. His deliverance is His presence.

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.
His love endures forever. (Ps. 136:1)

That’s what I see now. He didn’t remove the pain, but He carried me right on His back right through it and that is enough!

I live on. I give Him all the glory. His ways are the best ways. Let us never forget.

A Miracle Happened

January 15, 2026

purposefulfaith

awe, faith, hope

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This past Sunday was a normal trip home from a soccer event, but I never expected tragedy to hit. Pulling into our driveway, there is a little hill that leads down to our garage.

This day, we pulled into the driveway, joyous. Why? Because right before hitting our driveway, we were talking about God’s love. I shared how I recently heard data from a neurologist who said that spending 15 minutes a day thinking about God’s love for us, changes our brain. My whole family liked that idea. My son, since this conversation, has even put that into practice and noted how he felt God’s presence.

So, we pulled in the driveway on this particular day, all caught up with that idea… My husband put the car in park, and my daughter rapidly got out. Because we were on a hill, the car then rolled forward a tad. And, this is when it happened. A scream sounded out from my daughter!

“The car is on my foot, daddy! It is on my foot! Move it back! Move it back!”

Oh no! I thought. My daughter, my precious daughter, who has big dreams to play soccer. What is going to become of her foot?!

My mind started to get fuzzy.

“Which way?” my husband yelled out!

“I don’t know!!!” she screamed. I couldn’t think either.

My husband moved the car.

“That’s the wrong way! It’s going more on my foot, daddy! More on my foot… Move it!!!!!”

The tire of a car that weighs 5,000 pounds was driving over her foot. Oh. My. Goodness.

Finally, he moved the car in the right direction. And, then it happened — she walked away scot-free. No pain. At all. Perfectly fine. Protected. All clear.

Even though she had bare feet, God offered her complete protection. His love was live, active, and at work. God loves her and loved her. What a testimony.

He protects us too, even though many of us do not even know the miracle of His protection at work. The delay that protects us from the accident. The call that diverted the tragedy. The removal of someone who would have caused destruction.

God has probably fended off a million tragedies and performed a million miracles in each of our lives. He loves my daughter and He loves you… He deeply loves you… He continually protects and keeps you…

He is the Shepherd of your soul and the Keeper of your life, and He does it well!

After the moment of horror, I went inside and I iced her up anyway. My husband went out and got something out of the car. When we pulled up in the car, I did not have the audio playing the bible, but when my husband went back in the car it was playing Deut 4:34 where it talks about miraculous signs and wonders.

Has any other god dared to take a nation for himself out of another nation by means of trials, miraculous signs, wonders, war, a strong hand, a powerful arm, and terrifying acts? Yet that is what the Lord your God did for you in Egypt, right before your eyes. (Deut. 4:34 NLT)

We had seen a miraculous sign and wonder, for sure.

Let’s take a moment and thank God for His goodness, His love and His protection — the millions of miracles we have walked in, but maybe never seen.

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Soaking in Jesus This Christmas

December 11, 2025

purposefulfaith

Contentment

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There’s an issue. My Christmas tree is not soaking up water. So I got on my knees to add more water. But, still, it wouldn’t soak up. What is wrong with it? I I know the issue, though — when I bought the tree — it didn’t get a “fresh cut”.

Without a cut, there is not a fresh soaking of water…
Without a cut, the base is hard and closed up…
Without a cut, there is no life to the branches…

Without a cut, the tree is not full of life but is dry and in need.

Wow, I thought. I relate to this tree.

Without the cuts of life, I often don’t soak in the power of God. God uses what is hard, even for my good. It is through the freshness of my need that I soak up His life.

Cuts are not always permitted for bad, but they make way for God’s good.

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[a] have been called according to his purpose.” (Ro. 8:28)

When I am open, I am receiving.
When I am wanting and needing help, I am listening and discerning what God is saying.
When I am humble, I am receiving grace.

Cuts that have hurt are things God will use. Not that He caused them, but absolutely He will still use them for good. All the same, I don’t always have to be cut, to receive.

I can be in need, even when things are going fantastic.
I can be humble before the Lord, even when times are the best ever.
I can long for Him, even when I am strong.
I can hope to encounter His heart, even when life is busy.

This season, this Christmas, how can you call out for the fullness of God, the heart of God and the love of Christ — even in the fullness of a busy schedule? How can you welcome in and soak up the heart of God when everything feels normal? What living water may fill you up to touch others and to be full of God?

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It Takes Courage to be How God Made You

November 7, 2025

purposefulfaith

faith, Freedom, God, grace

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It takes courage to be you. It takes courage to be strong when God and HIs Word lead you…

When no one understands. When people misinterpret your actions. When God impresses something on your heart. When you let down your guard. It takes courage.

To be fully an extrovert. To be entirely an introvert. To take the time to indulge in a hobby. To speak up. To stay quiet.

It takes courage.

To see the things others cannot. To see what others can see. To encourage others even to the point of seeming like you care too much. To stand strong in God’s calling even if it seems like you care for others too little.

It takes courage.

To stand by the Word of God’s truth even when culture pulls a different way. To worship with all your heart, mind, soul and strength. To be passionate. To love so deeply that is risky. To not speak because you know God is not calling you to.

It takes courage.

To be who God created you to be, even when it feels odd, even when you stand out, even when you feel you should fit in, or be like the others, or look like the others… that takes courage.

To speak up. To stand up. To sit down. To go all out. To hold back. To give. To take. To learn.

To move as Jesus moved, means man won’t always understand. To love as Jesus loved will seem lavish — and too much. To pray as Jesus prayed, may seem isolating and sequestering to some. To heal as Jesus healed may be judged by some as not real for today. To give your life, may be interpreted as stupid, wasteful, or a life gone to waste.

So what?

Who are you living for — man or God? And how will you live your life? As a person of courage or of fear?

“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” (2 Tim. 1:7 NIV)

“Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.” (Gal. 1:10 NIV)

“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” (Eph. 2:10 NLT)

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The Key to Breakthrough

October 21, 2025

purposefulfaith

awe, envy, faith, hope

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The other day, I bent my key. It wouldn’t fit in my front door. The door would not open. I had to unbend the key to fit the lock and open the door. This got me thinking of the power of one simple key…

The right key opens the door.
The wrong key does not open the door.

Some of us may be using the wrong key on the right door. Others, may be using the right key on the wrong door. Either way, the door won’t open.

This is why prayer leads us to the right key to open all right doors.

Jesus tells us:

““Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.” (Mt. 7:7 NLT)

Keep asking.
Keep seeking.
Keep knocking.

In the asking, we will go about receiving. Sometimes we receive the understanding to shift two doors to the left or right.

In the seeking, we will go about finding. Often, seeking shows us what we first wanted, is not what we most needed at all.

In the knocking, our persistent hunger calls on His hand to feed us. He responds.

“Then call on me when you are in trouble, and I will rescue you, and you will give me glory.” (Ps. 50:15)

Calling, with God, is not a one-time event and we give up. It looks like persistence, being fervent and expectant.

“Persistence”
per·sis·tence
Merriam-Webster definition: “to go on resolutely or stubbornly in spite of opposition, importunity, or warning”

“Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.” – Luke 18:1

“Fervent”
fer·vent
Merriam-Webster definition: “exhibiting or marked by great intensity of feeling”

“The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” (James 5:16)

“Expect”
ex·pect
Merriam-Webster definition: “to consider probable or certain”

“Wait for and confidently expect the Lord; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for and confidently expect the Lord.” (Ps. 27:14)

We persist with great intensity and know the probability of our Faithful God showing up! This is a key that opens doors of faith. Without faith, it is impossible to please God.

Prayer: Father, I want to have steadfastness and diligence to keep seeking you. I want to seek you and find you. I want to pursue you with all my heart, all my soul and all my strength. Give me the ability not to give up. Make me strong of heart. Give me the gift of intercession that keeps on, keeping on. In Jesus’ Name.

Invitation for you: I am holding a a day retreat in Charlotte on December 13. If you would like more information reply to this email. I would love to create a space and place for you to meet with God and to find inner healing.

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