VICTORY: SFC CHARLES MARTLAND EXONERATED, REMAINS IN MILITARY

Sergeant First Class Charles Martland

by ACLJ.org

It’s a massive victory more than six months in the making. Sergeant First Class Charles Martland – a decorated war hero who faced expulsion from the Army for defending a child – has been exonerated and will be allowed to remain in the U.S. military.

We have been aggressively advocating for SFC Martland for more than six months, and now we’ve helped achieve a significant victory for this Green Beret war hero.

SFC Martland faced expulsion from the Army for defending a child from sexual abuse and confronting an admitted sexual predator in Afghanistan. The ACLJ argued that his actions – stopping the perpetrator who was violating Afghan law and forcibly removing him from a U.S. military base – were heroic.

Today, the military reversed course. As Fox News reports:

An Army spokesman said Thursday that Martland's status has been changed, allowing him to stay in the Army in a statement to Fox News.

 "In SFC Martland’s case, the Army Board for Correction of Military Records determination modified a portion of one of SFC Martland’s evaluation reports and removed him from the QMP list, which will allow him to remain in the Army," said Lt. Col. Jerry Pionk.

The decision by the Army to retain this hero is long overdue and represents a significant victory for SFC Martland. Justice has been served. The U.S. military has a moral obligation to stop child sexual abuse and exonerate SFC Martland for defending a child from rape. The Army finally took the corrective action needed, and this is not only a victory for SFC Martland, but for the American people as well.

The ACLJ has been on the front lines of the fight for SFC Martland. We’ve sent critical legal letters to President Obama, Army Chief of Staff General Mark Milley, Army Deputy Chief of Staff, G1 Personnel, General James McConville, the chairmen and ranking members of both the House and Senate Armed Services committees, acting Secretary of the Army Patrick Murphy, three letters to Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter, and 19 letters to the leading veterans organizations in the country.

Earlier this week, we delivered a letter signed by 65,102 concerned Americans to the acting Secretary of the Army and the Secretary of Defense in addition to another 1,743 individualized letters from Americans who wished to express their support for SFC Martland.

The letters, urging top U.S. military officials to reinstate SFC Martland, were clear and direct:

SFC Martland's actions reflect American values – military values – and I am proud of what he did. He intervened on behalf of a victimized child. Please intervene for him. SFC Martland is the consummate American hero. He should be defended, not discharged. Please don't turn your back on him. SFC Martland has dutifully sacrificed to defend the freedom I hold dear as an American, and as an American I am standing up for this war hero. Please put this warrior back on the battlefield where he belongs. Do the right thing. Clear SFC Martland's name and reinstate this American hero immediately.

At the same time, nearly 350,000 Americans signed on to the ACLJ’s petition demanding justice for SFC Martland.

This massive letter-writing and legal advocacy campaign has paid off. SFC Martland is now able to return to his dedicated service in defense of our nation – what he has always wanted to do and what he has done superbly well.

We are hopeful that this victory sheds new light on the horrific practice that SFC Martland helped expose and that it will lead to meaningful policy changes in the U.S. military and our interaction with our allies. The sexual abuse of children must not be tolerated, and those who are willing to stand up to this horror should be supported and honored, not condemned.

AWE-INSPIRING VIDEO SHOWS SPARK OF LIFE AT CONCEPTION

by JESSILYN JUSTICE

A gorgeous new video shows the moment life begins: at conception, with a flash of light.

"It was remarkable," said Professor Teresa Woodruff, an expert in ovarian biology at Northwestern University.

Researchers from the University, including Woodruff, said the phenomenon has been noted in other animals like mice, but this is the first time they've seen human eggs fertilized.

Some, like Live Action's Lila Rose, say this video proves that abortion is indeed the murder of a child.

"To be pro-life is to be on the side of science and reason," Rose said on her Facebook page. "Scientists have incredibly captured the moment of conception, when human life begins. This amazing discovery affirms the fact that abortion kills a child who only needs time and nutrition to grow. We must use scientific and medical facts to protect human life, not destroy it."

Watch the video to see the "fireworks" show yourself.

COULD WEST VIRGINIA REVIVAL SPARK END-TIME AWAKENING?

by Wendy Griffith

There's a new sound coming forth from the hills of southern West Virginia - a sound many prophets have foretold but haven't heard until now.

For the past three weeks, the large sports complex in the small coal-mining town of Williamson, West Virginia, has been filled to the rafters with people crying out for God.

It all started when Tennessee evangelist Matt Hartley visited a local church for what was supposed to be a three-day revival service but it just kept going.



 "This is not man-made, charismatic, hyper spiritual," Hartley told CBN News. "This is the presence of God that is overwhelming us, that is being released upon hungry people that are tired of just stagnant Christianity and "safe" church."

"They want Jesus more than anything else. That's why they're here," he said.

Hartley also spoke at the local high school where revival seemed to break out among the students.

"Four-hundred to 450 students got saved at Mingo Central from Matt Hartley coming in and speaking at a voluntary prayer club," Katie Endicott, with the Mingo Central High Prayer Club, told CBN News.

"It has just gone from school to school, from youth group to youth group," she said. "Denominational barriers have just been cast down and we've just had a great spirit of unity."

Many are calling it the greatest spiritual awakening in southern West Virginia history.

"We couldn't have done this if we wanted to," Endicott said. "We've had so many revival services, so many special services and nothing like this. This is true awakening."

Endicott says prayer plus desperation has paved the way for this spiritual breakthrough, especially among the young people.

"Oh my gosh, it's amazing!" 18-year-old Belfry High School student Andrew Fletcher exclaimed. "I've never seen something like this happen where the young people just get on fire."

"It's really cool to come to church and it's really cool to worship God - nobody's judging you or saying anything about it because they're all with you," he continued.

"We're starting to have prayer circles at school and we're reading and having Bible studies at school," he said.

Others, like Erica Priest of Lenore, are seeing God answer very specific prayers.

"My husband just got saved this morning," Priest said. "I've been praying for him for seven months and he'll be baptized this Sunday."

Hartley believes the sound of revival now being heard in these West Virginia mountains has the potential to spread around the world.

"I believe God has preserved this state for the end-time awakening that's coming to America," Hartley said.

"I believe that this is the beginning of where it happens and it's going to spread as a wild-fire throughout the nations of this world, that Jesus is going to be exalted," he predicted.

"And the more Jesus is exalted the more the river of God is going to flow -- and we have not seen anything yet to what God is releasing," he said.

FRANKLIN GRAHAM JOINS ONE MILLION IN BOYCOTTING TARGET OVER TRANSGENDER POLICY: "THEY'RE PUTTING EVERYONE AT RISK"

By Leah Marieann Klett

Evangelist Franklin Graham has joined nearly 1 million people in signing a petition to boycott Target after the company announced it will allow men to go into women's bathrooms if they identify as female.

"Target is putting its shareholders - and its customers - at risk! Just since last Wednesday over [854,000] people have signed a pledge to boycott Target over its new bathroom policy that welcomes employees and guests to use the restrooms or fitting rooms that 'corresponds with their gender identity.' Target certainly has the prerogative to make this decision, but it's proving to be bad for business," Graham wrote in a Facebook post on Tuesday about the American Family Association's petition.

"I'm glad people are standing up and letting them know this is wrong. I agree with the American Family Association - this policy encourages sexual predators and puts women and children in danger. A man shouldn't be able to enter the women's restroom or dressing room because he says he 'feels like a woman today.' That's ridiculous," Graham continued.

Graham, who is the president of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Samaritan's Purse, argued that gender identity isn't something we choose or feel.

"We are the sex God created us to be - male or female. How a person feels doesn't change the facts," he wrote.

Target made headlines earlier this month after announcing it will continue to allow transgender customers and employees to use the bathrooms and fitting rooms of their preference in light of the recent debate around gender-segregated public facility laws.

"Inclusivity is a core belief at Target. It's something we celebrate. We stand for equality and equity, and strive to make our guests and team members feel accepted, respected and welcomed in our stores and workplaces every day," Target wrote in a statement released on its corporate website Tuesday.

"We believe that everyone - every team member, every guest, and every community - deserves to be protected from discrimination, and treated equally...Consistent with this belief, Target supports the federal Equality Act, which provides protections to LGBT individuals, and opposes action that enables discrimination."

In its petition, AFA argues that the policy is a perfect example of "how sexual predators get access to their victims."

"And with Target publicly boasting that men can enter women's bathrooms, where do you think predators are going to go?" the petition asks.

"Clearly, Target's dangerous new policy poses a danger to wives and daughters. We think many customers will agree," it adds.

Because the rule does not protect women and children, the AFA is urging Target to consider offering unisex bathrooms for those that want to use them, but still keep separate bathrooms for men and women as an option.

Last year, Target announced it had decided to back away from gender-specific signage and go "gender neutral" in its stores by eliminating the colors blue and pink in displays and signage and getting rid of the words "boys" and "girls" on clothing and toys wherever possible.

At the time, Graham criticized the move and accused the retail giant of "forgetting who has made their stores strong."

"It's not gender-neutral people out there-it's working American families, fathers and mothers with boys and girls they love," he wrote.

"What's next? Are they going to try to make people believe that pink or blue baby showers are politically incorrect? I have news for them and for everyone else-God created two different genders. Jesus said, 'Have you not read that He who created them from the beginning made them male and female' (Matthew 19:4). You can't get any clearer than that."

THE THEME FOR UPCOMING NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER SAYS IT ALL

by Dion Elmore National Day of Prayer

The National Day of Prayer is not just a vital part of America's heritage, but is as relevant and critical today as it was at the first call by our Continental Congress in 1775. Established in public law by a joint resolution of Congress signed by President Truman in 1952, then amended to designate the day under the 100th Congress and President Reagan in 1988, it states that "The President shall issue each year a proclamation designating the first Thursdayin May as a National Day of Prayer on which the people of the United States may turn to God in prayer and meditation at churches, in groups and as individuals."

As our nation struggles with foreign and domestic threats, economic insecurity, cultural tensions, and continual challenges to basic constitutional rights, citizens of the United States are preparing to heed the call by our elected leaders to exercise one of their most precious freedoms—the right to gather, turn to God, and pray. In response, millions will assemble at thousands of local events across the nation, where they will take time out of their daily schedules to intercede on behalf of their communities, their nation, and their leaders.

The theme for the 2016 National Day of Prayer observation is "Wake Up America," emphasizing the need for every citizen to wake up to the reality of the challenges that our nation faces and to call upon the unfailing character of God, who is sovereign over all governments, authorities, and men. Isaiah 58:1a further highlights this need by exhorting us to "Shout it aloud, do not hold back. Raise your voice like a trumpet."

Dr. Tony Evans will serve as the 2016 Honorary Chairman for the NDP Task Force and will give the keynote address at the National Observance in Washington, DC, to be held at the Cannon House Office Building. Dr. Evans has served as the senior pastor of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship for close to four decades, has authored over 100 books, is the founder and president of The Urban Alternative, and his daily radio broadcast can be heard on more than 1,000 radio outlets.

To learn more, or to find a National Day of Prayer event in your community, visit www.NationalDayofPrayer.org.

JEREMY LIN ABIDES IN HIS CHRISTIAN FAITH DURING NBA PLAYOFFS, AMID DISCRIMINATIONS

By Mitch de Leon

Charlotte Hornets guard Jeremy Lin (7) reacts after a three point shot against the Brooklyn Nets during second half at Barclays Center. Photo Credit:Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports

The Charlotte Hornets are surprising additions to the NBA playoffs 2016 especially in light of the recent injury of Nicolas Batum. Despite the roster loss of the Michael Jordan team, the group still managed to hang tight to their spot, winning the last two games after losing the first three to Miami Heat. Following the injury of Batum, the Charlotte Hornets saw the emergence of Jeremy Lin as a leader. Eventually, the Linsanity has become a major force that helped Kemba Walker carry the team into the playoffs this NBA season.

Following the 0-2 losing streak, Lin sent out a prayer request, asking his followers to "lift our team up in prayer -- that I would play with a completely surrendered heart to God. The higher the stakes, the more I tend to try to hold on/stress/worry rather than trust God that no matter what happens He is in control and has a perfect plan."

Lin also asked for prayers for Batum to quickly recover and for his teammates to be able to play teamwork basketball at a level to win the series and move on to the next. "I don't doubt the power of God as He is capable of any type of miracle!!"

Since the prayer request was sent, the Hornets have turned the tide and won two back-to-back games against the Heat, and has now tied the Playoff series at 2-2.

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Although this is an astounding achievement for the Charlotte Hornets, the team did not reach this stage without difficulties. Among the members of the basketball squad, however, Lin is identified to have suffered the most setbacks outside the usual sport-related injuries. Included in the issues plaguing the return of the Linsanity are the racial discriminations he experienced.

In addition to these is the purported bias of the NBA refs against the Asian man - a fact that was pointed by his fans as they noted how stars like Carmelo Anthony managed to get away with fouls against Lin. Despite their efforts, the fans still failed to get a favorable response to their concern. In fact, the NBA belied their claims and reiterated that the calls of the referees during the games were right based on data. Amid the uproar following these comments, Lin attempts to calm his followers and thanked them for their support.

"I'm just thankful the fans are trying to do something about it, and trying to push the league to at least review some of the stuff," said Lin following the release of the video showing the uncalled flagrant fouls that should have been issued in his favor. He added, "What happened on the film is exactly what happened [on the court]."

However, he shrugged off the response of the NBA and simply reminded his fans that not everyone will side with them. Lin also advised them of the nature of the sport. That is, professional basketball can become very competitive. Hence, physical aggression in the hardwood court might become the norm.

Lin said, "To me, not everybody drives the same way, not everybody goes to the basket the same way, not everybody takes contact the same way. I mean, it is what it is. They made their statement. All I know is, you've just got to watch the film."

Meanwhile, Lin earlier decided to focus on more important things in his life at the moment instead of dwelling on the past. In his recent journal entry, the Charlotte Hornets star opted to look at the bright side of things. In the said post, Lin shared some tidbits about his teammates and how much he values them all.

"Playoffs are right around the corner and a lot of people, including you guys, have noticed we have a really special team here," wrote Lin. He added, "Having had a wide range of experiences playing basketball my whole life, I've always believed that basketball is the most fun when everyone buys in and plays for each other. That's what has helped our team this season and it has also made playing on the court really enjoyable."

Meanwhile, fans are encouraged to think back on the past prayer request from Lin who admitted to being an emotional person. In the said prayer, the Linsanity asked his fans to pray for his emotional well-being as he is sometimes overruled by his feelings. He added that he had been plagued with anxiety lately. Hence, he needed the support of his followers to help him get over it.

"Please pray that I would stay in this state of mind," Lin shared earlier. "As a very emotional person, I know it can be a quick change from being in a great place mentally/spiritually to worrying and being anxious about my life and future."

The Hornets will face-off with the Heat this evening for Game 5 of the NBA Playoffs at the American Airlines Arena in Miami. Once again, Lin urges his supporters to pray while noting his gratefulness to God after winning Game 4.

"Praise God for Game 4!! It was a big-time win for us and I remember just feeling soooo grateful to God after the game ended," shared Lin.

"Please pray for our team tonight as we play game 5. Miami is an extremely difficult place to play so prayer for our health, supernatural energy, our readiness to play and a great individual and team performance that results in a win! Also prayer for humility to trust God wholeheartedly no matter what the result of the game is."

CARLY FIORINA: WHY I ACCEPTED TED CRUZ'S OFFER

by BOB ESCHLIMAN

Carly Fiorina explained Wednesday night why she accepted Ted Cruz's invitation to be his running mate. (Reuters photo)

A few hours after appearing on stage with U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), and announcing she had accepted his invitation to be his running mate, should he win the Republican presidential nomination, Carly Fiorina explained her decision.

"It's clear the media elites are ready to anoint Donald Trump the Republican nominee before this race is even over," she said in an email to supporters of her own unsuccessful presidential campaign. "It's also clear, to you and me, that Donald Trump's nomination would be a disaster for conservatives."

If Trump becomes the GOP nominee, conservatives will be forced to choose between two liberals in November, she said, adding that both Trump and Hillary Clinton are corrupt, big government crony capitalists, who are "part of the system that has gotten us in the mess we're in." Repeating a claim made by Cruz repeatedly on the campaign trail, Fiorina said a Trump nomination would "guarantee" four years of Clinton in the White House.

Noting that she has been on the trail with Cruz for the past several weeks, Fiorina said she's gotten to know him and his family. In so doing, she added, she got to know "the Ted Cruz the media won't tell you about," who is a the loving father, devoted husband and "movie buff."

During her own campaign, Fiorina labeled herself a Washington outsider, and noted in her email that Cruz is too.

"Ted Cruz is a constitutional conservative who has made enemies in both parties because he's dared to stand up to bipartisan corruption in Washington. He has fought tirelessly to change the system," she said. "And I know, if elected, he will bring back American jobs, protect our constitutional freedoms and defend our nation.

"Our country is being taken away by the elites, the crony capitalists and the special interests that have captured both parties. They want to take away what we treasure about this nation.

"As you have heard me say before, we need to take our country back. I believe Ted Cruz is the man to lead that fight now. And I am prepared to give everything I have to ensure we defeat Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton."

SENATOR CORY GARDNER ENDORSES TED CRUZ

by BOB ESCHLIMAN

Wednesday, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz picked up the endorsement of one of his Senate colleagues. (Reuters photo)

Wednesday, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) picked up the endorsement of one of his Senate colleagues.

Sen. Cory Gardner (R-Colo.), in his endorsement, said Cruz has always been a "fierce defender of the Constitution" and a "tireless advocate for conservative principles." He also noted the Texas senator has spent his entire career fighting for the men and women of the U.S. and "pushing back against the special interests" in Washington, D.C.

"Ted is the only candidate who will change the way Washington works and restore the balance of power back to the American people," he said. "It's time for Republicans to rally behind this campaign in order to put forth the best candidate to stop Hillary Clinton in November. I am confident Ted Cruz is that person and I'm thrilled to endorse him for president."

Before joining the Senate, Gardner was elected to the Colorado House of Representatives in 2005, and became Minority Whip in 2006. He was then elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2010.

"Cory has spent his time in Congress focused on improving the economy, creating jobs, and fighting for the people of Colorado," Cruz said. "He has stood up and been a strong advocate for conservative principles like stopping the train wreck that is Obamacare and this dangerous deal the Obama administration struck with Iran. I am honored to have Cory's support and look forward to working together to continue to coalesce Republicans around this campaign."

RELIGIOUS FREEDOM WITHIN THE ARMED FORCES IS AT STAKE

BY BOB ESCHLIMAN

Lance Cpl. Monifa Sterling had the copies of her favorite Bible verse posted in her workspace, and was court-martialed for refusing to take it down.

On Wednesday, the Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces—the highest military court in America—will hear oral arguments in a case that will determine if religious freedoms exist for members of the military.

At the heart of the case is U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Monifa Sterling, who was court-martialed for refusing to take down a Bible verse she had posted in her workplace at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. She also re-posted the verses after her supervisor threw them in the trash.

As a devout Christian, one of Sterling's favorite Bible verses is "No weapon formed against you shall prosper" (Isaiah 54:17). In May 2013, she printed a personalized version of the Scripture and taped it up in three places in her workspace—most prominently along the top of her computer monitor.

When Sterling's supervisor—who also happened to be Sterling's former drill instructor—saw the verse, she ordered Sterling to remove it. Sterling noted that other service members had personal items in their workspaces and asked why she couldn't post the Bible verse. The supervisor chastised her for her "tone."

Sterling said she believed it was her First Amendment right to post Bible verses and declined to take them down. The next morning, she found the verses had been torn down and thrown in the trash.

Rather than complaining, she simply reprinted the verses and put them back up. The next morning after that, she found the verses in the trash again. Soon after, Sterling was court-martialed.

At court-martial, Sterling represented herself and invoked her First Amendment rights to religious expression, as well as the Religious Freedom Restoration Act to defend her posting of the verses, especially since no one in the unit ever complained about the verse. The judge, however, ruled against her.

She received a reduction in rank to Private, the lowest rank in the Marine Corps, as well as a bad-conduct discharge. She appealed her court-martial to the Navy-Marine Corps Court of Criminal Appeals, which also ruled against her because, as the court determined, sharing Bible verses does not constitute religious exercise as a "part of a religious system of belief."

Since being discharged, Sterling has experienced enormous financial hardship. And, due to her bad-conduct discharge, she isn't eligible to receive veteran's benefits.

First Liberty Institute stepped in last year and filed a petition with the CAAF, which agreed to hear the case in October. Paul Clement, a former Solicitor General of the United States who has argued more than 75 cases before the U.S. Supreme Court, will argue her court-martial should be thrown out because her religious liberty is protected by the First Amendment and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.

First Liberty Director of Military Affairs Michael Berry said this case is important for two reasons: justice and precedent.

"Ms. Sterling posted the Bible verse as an expression of her faith—an expression which should have been protected by RFRA," he said. "By failing to protect Ms. Sterling's religious freedom, an injustice has been done. We hope the Court of Appeals of the Armed Forces will take this opportunity to right the wrong that has been inflicted on Ms. Sterling and set a clear precedent that our service members have a right to religious freedom."

Clement—a partner at Bancroft PLLC who argued the recent Hobby Lobby victory—provides the CAAF with the opportunity to reaffirm that religious freedom doesn't end when one puts on the uniform and answers his or her nation's call to serve.

"Religious freedom is such an important issue for our military," he said. "We hope the court will clarify this issue and confirm that RFRA protects our troops."

Several national leaders, including nine retired military generals and 43 members of Congress, have filed amicus briefs in support of Sterling's case. The Chaplain Alliance for Religious Liberty and a diverse coalition of religious leaders—including imams, Sihks, Catholics, Mormons, and Baptists—have also weighed in to support the Marine's religious liberty.

"Our Marines give up many freedoms when serving, but religious freedom is never one of them," Berry added. "The First Amendment, RFRA and military code all protect service members' right to express their faith freely. We are grateful the Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces accepted this case and we are hopeful of a favorable result for Lance Cpl. Sterling, and the religious freedom of all our service members."

A VILLAGE IN THE PHILIPPINES EMBRACE JESUS CHRIST AFTER HEARING THE GOSPEL, VIEWING "PASSION OF THE CHRIST" FLIM

By Leah Marieann Klett

Nearly an entire village in the Philippines embraced Christianity after hearing the Gospel and viewing the 2004 film, "The Passion of the Christ," an indigenous ministry has revealed.

According to a report from Christian Aid Mission, an organization dedicated to assisting and promoting native missionaries overseas, a local ministry spent eight months building a relationship with the Manobo tribal peoples in northern Mindanao.

During that time, mission leaders held Bible studies, teaching chronologically through the narratives of the Hebrew Scriptures to the New Testament. Men, women and children began attending these sessions and expressed a tremendous thirst for the Gospel.

"The week before presenting the gospel lesson was a week of suspense," said the director, whose name is withheld for security reasons. "Everyone was in anticipation as to what would happen to Jesus after He was arrested by the Jewish leaders. To make the teaching of the gospel that night more vivid, the teacher inserted a brief video clip of the suffering and crucifixion of Jesus from the movie, 'The Passion of Christ.'"

After viewing "The Passion," which depicts the final twelve hours in the life of Jesus of Nazareth, on the day of his crucifixion in Jerusalem, many of the villagers were emotional, expressing anger at the mistreatment of Jesus by Jewish authorities and Roman soldiers.

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"One of the old men emotionally said, 'How I wish I could be by Jesus' side and help Him!'" he said. "But after the truth had been explained concerning the death and resurrection of Christ as God's only provision for man's salvation, a feeling of awe and amazement was felt."

Moved by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, many of the villagers professed faith in His death and resurrection, and embraced Christianity.

"Finally, after consistently teaching over the past eight months from Genesis onward, we were able to present the gospel, and nearly the whole village responded and trusted Jesus as their Lord and Savior," he said. "It was a great joy for us to see them understand the saving grace of Jesus for salvation; some cried as they shared their testimony of faith."

The next day, even more villagers shared how the Gospel had changed their lives. One elderly man who said he had put his trust in Jesus as the promised Messiah concluded, "He suffered so much for me. I'm glad He rose again from the dead."

The ministry shared one particularly heartwarming story of an 84-year-old woman, who said that she was grateful to hear what Jesus had done on the cross for her. She said that while she had little time remaining in this world, she knew that heaven was her sure home because of what Christ did for her.

"Many more Manobo, both children and adult, expressed faith in Jesus," the ministry director told CAM. "Truly, God is at work in the lives of these people, moving them from darkness to light, into His eternal kingdom."

According to the Pew Research Center, the Philippines is Asia's most Christianized country, and is the 5th largest Christian country on earth, with about 90% of the population being adherents. However, Voice of the Martyrs notes that Christians living in areas with significant influence from Muslim and Communist organizations have routinely faced threats, kidnapping and death.

In addition, the majority Catholics often mix native animistic beliefs into their practice. The ministry director told the organization that the people living in Mindanao previously had no knowledge of the resurrection of Christ or its significance.

"Statistically, it would appear that the majority of Filipinos are Christians," the director said. "However, while many people may consider themselves Christian, their beliefs are often mixed with former animistic rituals and superstitions. Secondly, as is true everywhere in Asia, Islam is on the rise and a constant threat to evangelization. Lastly, there are tribes that have never heard the gospel message."

CAM notes that the native beliefs of the various Manobo peoples involve many unseen and intrusive spirits, both good and evil. Each tribe holds to a "great spirit" that is usually viewed as a creator. Manobo legend also tells of how a man was created to live forever, but a bird traded man's "life breath" for a piece of kemp string, eliminating immortality.

"From that time on, the Manobo were taught that no one has been raised to heaven," the ministry director said. "Yet they still yearned to leave this world of poverty, sickness, hunger and death to a place of eternal bliss. Today, many of these villages have heard the gospel message and know they have a place in the eternal kingdom through Jesus Christ, their Savior."

Those wishing to help the spread the Gospel in the Philippines can give through Christian Aid Mission. To learn more about Christian Aid Mission, visit their website.

COLORADO SUPREME COURT UPHOLDS BAKER CANNOT CITE RELIGION TO REFUSE SERVICE TO SAME-SEX CUSTOMERS

By Julie Brown Patton

The Colorado Supreme Court will not hear the appeal case of a Lakewood, Colorado, bakery owner, Jack Phillips, who refused to make a wedding cake for a same-sex couple in 2012.

Colorado Supreme Court judges refused Monday to accept the case of a suburban Denver baker who would not make a wedding cake for a same-sex couple, letting stand a lower court's ruling that the Masterpiece Cakeshop owner cannot cite his Christian beliefs or free-speech rights in refusing service.

Bakery owner Jack Phillips, in business since 1993, declined to make a cake in 2012 for Charlie Craig and David Mullins, who were married in Massachusetts and planned a celebration in Colorado.
The married men filed a complaint with the Colorado Civil Rights Commission, which ruled in December 2013 that Phillips discriminated against them and ordered him to change his store policy against making cakes for gay weddings or face fines. Administrative Law Judge Robert Spencer said offering the same services to gay couples as heterosexual couples did not violate Phillips' rights to free speech nor does it prevent him from exercising his religious freedom, reports the Denver Post

.
The Colorado Civil Rights Commission decision required the cake shop to take remedial measures including comprehensive staff training and the filing of quarterly compliance reports. Phillips appealed.

The Colorado Court of Appeals also ruled against the bakery owner. Phillips' legal costs were covered by the Alliance Defending Freedom, and the baker's website offers the option of donating to the case online through PayPal. 

"We asked the Colorado Supreme Court to take this case to ensure that government understands that its duty is to protect the people's freedom to follow their beliefs personally and professionally, not force them to violate those beliefs as the price of earning a living," Jeremy Tedesco, senior counsel at the Alliance Defending Freedom, said in a statement. "Jack, who has happily served people of all backgrounds for years, simply exercised the long-cherished American freedom to decline to use his artistic talents to promote a message and event with which he disagrees, and that freedom shouldn't be placed in jeopardy for anyone."

"The highest court in Colorado affirmed that no one should be turned away from a public-facing business because of who they are or who they love," Ria Tabacco Mar, staff attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union's LGBT Project who argued the case, said in a statement. "We all have a right to our personal beliefs, but we do not have a right to impose those beliefs on others and discriminate against them."

Tabacco Mar had argued, according to ABC News, on behalf of Craig and Mullins.
Attorney Nicolle Martin, who represents Phillips, said they had not yet decided whether to accept the ruling, ask Colorado's highest court to reconsider, or approach the U.S. Supreme Court. Martin says she is surprised the Colorado court would not consider the case.

"This is a matter that affects all Americans, not just people of faith," Martin said.
Phillips has said he has no problem serving gay people at his store, but that making a wedding cake for a same-sex wedding would violate his Christian beliefs.

Colorado lawmakers introduced a bill in February that would have blocked the state from taking any action that may burden a person's religious freedom unless it was the least restrictive means of furthering a compelling governmental interest. A House committee indefinitely postponed discussion on the bill.

Critics say the legislation that has been proposed in states across the country to protect those who, due to religious beliefs, decline to employ or serve certain people are aimed at the LGBT community and are discriminatory.

BIBLE-BELIEVING CHRISTIANS TO INVADE US CAPITOL WITH THE WORD OF GOD

by BOB ESCHLIMAN

The 27th Annual U.S. Capitol Bible Reading Marathon will take place May 1-5 at the West Front of the Capitol. (File photo)

If you started at Genesis 1:1 and kept reading—without stopping until you finished Revelation 22:21—it would take about 90 hours to read the entirety of the Bible.

We know that because, for the past 26 years, Christians from around the country have gathered at the steps of the U.S. Capitol and done exactly that. And now, organizers of the annual U.S. Capitol Bible Reading Marathon are ready to give it a 27th go.

According to the Rev. Michael Hall, co-director of the event, volunteers will begin reading, without commentary, at 6 p.m. EDT Sunday, May 1, at the West Front of the U.S. Capitol. They will continue reading until noon Thursday, May 5, which coincides with the National Day of Prayer.

"During these five days, hundreds of Bible believers will travel to the West Front of the U.S. Capitol to read a portion of the Bible, to listen and to pray," he said. "The U.S. Capitol Bible Reading Marathon began in 1990. The event serves to honor the Bible, celebrate religious freedom and unite the diverse branches of Christianity around the Bible."

The first U.S. Capitol Bible Reading Marathon was held in 1990 and organized by Dr. John Hash and Dr. Corinthia Boone. The goal is simple: to honor God's Holy Word; to celebrate Christians' First Amendment freedoms of speech, assembly, religion; and to set aside denominational differences and unify the diverse body of Christ around the Holy Bible.

"The public reading of God's Holy Word will call the nation to return to God's precepts and will lay a solid foundation for the National Day of Prayer," Hall said. "There will be 100 English and foreign language versions of the Bible available to be read."

Those who would like to travel to our nation's capital to take part in the reading are encouraged to volunteer with an email to dcbiblemarathon@gmail.com or by calling (202) 441-6455

BOYCOTTING TARGET?

by MICHAEL BROWN

Target has crossed a line, and that's why millions of Americans will soon be saying to Target, "We used to love shopping in your stores, but your radical activism and your scorning of our concerns has driven us away." (Reuters)

Should we boycott companies that support LGBT activism?

Well, if we decided to boycott every company that did, it would be almost impossible to live and function in America today.

We'd just about have to switch off our computers, turn in our cellphones and walk instead of drive a car or fly.

We'd have to stop shopping at lots of our favorite stores, stop eating at lots of our favorite restaurants and stop using our favorite credit cards.

But there are times when a company crosses a line and when we have to say: In good conscience, we cannot give you our business.

By making its bathrooms and dressing rooms gender-neutral, Target has crossed that line.

That's why the American Family Association's call to boycott Target garnered more than a half-million signatures within its first week.

People have said, "Enough is enough!"—and for good reason.

Just think: Target has declared war on gender.

Last year, Target announced that it was doing away with boys' toys and girls' toys.

Instead, all toy aisles are now gender neutral, since Target didn't want to promote gender-stereotyping—as if it's bad to say that most boys prefer GI Joe toys to Little Princess toys or most girls prefer doll houses to nerf guns or girls like pink and boys like blue.

In their own words, "In the Toys aisles, we'll also remove reference to gender, including the use of pink, blue, yellow or green paper on the back walls of our shelves."

So Target will offend the vast majority of its customers rather than offend a handful of customers who have a problem with gender distinctions.

This is cultural madness.

Now Target has gone even further, imposing the struggles of less than 1 percent of the population on the rights of the other 99 percent.

To add insult to injury, a Target rep on Facebook suggested that those who had a problem with this could use the handicapped bathroom!

So, rather than telling the less than 1 percent who struggle with their gender identity to use the handicapped bathroom, Target is telling them to use the larger, men's and ladies' bathrooms, while telling the 99 percent to use the single handicapped facility.

This is just plain insanity.

It's like the elementary school that announced that next year, little Johnny would be coming to school as Jane, and if any students or parents or teachers had a problem with this, the school would offer them free counseling.

They should have offered free counseling to Johnny!

And remember: This was Target's official statement:

"Inclusivity is a core belief at Target. It's something we celebrate. We stand for equality and equity, and strive to make our guests and team members feel accepted, respected and welcomed in our stores and workplaces every day."

In reality, what Target means is this: "Exclusivity is a core belief at Target, and if you don't accept our radical transgender activism, you will not feel accepted, respected and welcomed in our stores and workplaces every day—in particular, if you don't want to expose your kids to grown men in the ladies' rooms or you're uncomfortable sharing a fitting room with someone of the opposite sex."
Target has crossed a line, and that's why millions of Americans will soon be saying to Target, "We used to love shopping in your stores, but your radical activism and your scorning of our concerns has driven us away."

HUMANISM - THE RELIGION OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS

by Ken Ham

Many of the modern battles against Christianity are being waged in government-run schools. All across America, secularists throw around the phrase “separation of church and state” (a phrase which, by the way, is not found in the US Constitution) and insist that any mention in schools of Christianity, the Bible, or even Intelligent Design is somehow a violation. And all the while their religions of humanism and atheism (which are belief systems about our world) are being openly and often exclusively taught in the public school system.

Humanism
I’ve been pointing out for years that secular humanism is the reigning religion in the public schools of Western nations, and that this false teaching is deceiving many young people. In a recent interview, a journalist and author also laments the replacement of Christianity with humanism. He says that, despite the idea that public schools can’t teach religion to students, “schools do try to force a religion on children, but it’s not Christianity; rather, it is humanism . . . people think humanism’s not a religion. Well, it is a religion. It has been found to be a religion by the courts because it is a religion. It has articles of faith. It is based on faith.”

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Millions of children here in America are indoctrinated each year with the religion of humanism. In public schools, they are taught that there is no God, that they are the result of random processes, and that there is no absolute standard for morality. No wonder so many young people have secular worldviews!

As parents, we have a responsibility to “train up a child in the way he should go” (Proverbs 22:6), and fathers are called to “bring [their children] up in the training and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4). This includes helping them to develop a biblical worldview and to be prepared to answer the skeptical questions our secular culture asks. Because of the onslaught of secular teaching, it’s more important than ever that young people be solidly grounded in the Word of God and in biblical teaching.

I encourage you to check out my Foundations DVD series. This video set provides an introduction into a biblical worldview which starts our thinking with God’s Word in all areas. This would be an excellent series to view with your young people. Another superb resource, for younger children, is our Answers Book for Kids series. These books answer over 100 of the most common questions kids have about the Bible, science, dinosaurs, Noah’s Ark, salvation, and more. This series will help ground your kids in a biblical worldview from a young age. You can view these resources, and many more, in our online store.

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TED CRUZ SLAMS ESPN FOR FIRING CURT SCHILLING "AMERICA IS GOING OFF THE DEEP END"

By Leah Marieann Klett

World Series MVP pitcher and former ESPN baseball analyst Curt Schilling was fired from ESPN
. Photo Credit: Reuters

Republican presidential hopeful Ted Cruz recently slammed ESPN for firing Curt Schilling for speaking out on Facebook about allowing biological men in women's bathrooms and suggested America is "going off the deep end."

ESPN on Wednesday terminated the contract of the former All-Star pitcher and on-air personality after he shared a meme poking fun at those who oppose a recently-passed North Carolina law that prohibits local governments from forcing businesses to open women's bathrooms to men who identify as female.

According to Politico, the Facebook post that Schilling shared and subsequently deleted showed an overweight man sporting a wig and tight clothing with parts of his T-shirt cut out, exposing his breasts, featuring the text: "LET HIM IN! to the restroom with your daughter or else you're a narrow-minded, judgmental, unloving racist bigot who needs to die."

To that, Schilling added: "A man is a man no matter what they call themselves. I don't care what they are, who they sleep with, men's room was designed for the penis, women's not so much. Now you need laws telling us differently? Pathetic."

"ESPN is an inclusive company," ESPN said in a statement announcing it had fired the baseball analyst. "Curt Schilling has been advised that his conduct was unacceptable and his employment with ESPN has been terminated."

Speaking to conservative radio host Glenn Beck, the Texas senator argued that ESPN fired Schilling, who had worked for the network since 2010, for making the "rather obvious point that we shouldn't allow grown male adult strangers alone in a bathroom with little girls."

"That's a point anyone who is rational should understand," Cruz said. "You have got the Obama education department suing to try to force [middle schools] to let teenage boys shower with teenage girls. That's crazy. That is not a reasonable position."

He added, "It is simply crazy and the idea that grown men would be allowed alone in a bathroom with little girls - you don't need to be a behavioral psychologist to realize bad things can happen and any prudent person wouldn't allow that. It is only the lunacy of political correctness."

In emphasizing his point, Cruz described his time as solicitor general of Texas dealing with "people who are repulsive perverts and criminals."

"There are some bad people in the world, and we shouldn't be facilitating putting little girls alone in a bathroom with grown adult men," he said. "That is just a bad, bad, bad idea."

"We always hear from the left on gun control that if it will save just one person, then we should do it. If this would just save one little girl from being molested by a heterosexual pervert, we should do it," Beck agreed.

In a February interview with The Gospel Herald, Cruz's father, Pastor Rafael Cruz, echoed his son's warning that the moral fiber of America is quickly eroding and urged Christians to vote for a candidate dedicated to returning the country to Judeo-Christian principles.

"America is at the edge of a precipice," he warned. "We need to pray that the truth will prevail, that politicians do not deceive the American people, that the American people would have the clarity to discern who is telling the truth. The future of America is in the balance."

He added, "We cannot remain silent, because our country is in decline. We need to be salt and light to this country to try and restore it to the foundations that made America the greatest country on the face of this earth."

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U2 BONO TO RELEASE FILM ABOUT THE PSALMS WITH BIBLE TRANSLATOR EUGENE PETERSON

By Leah Marieann Klett

Bono, left, and ''The Message'' author Eugene Peterson will talk about their friendship over the book of Psalms in a short documentary that will be released Tuesday. Photo Credit: Taylor Martyn/Fuller studio

Legendary rocker Bono has announced he will release a short film about the Psalms made in collaboration with retired Presbyterian pastor and The Message author Eugene Peterson.

According to a report from the New Boston Post, the 20-minute film, "Bono and Eugene Peterson: The Psalms", is set in Peterson's Montana home and in New York's gallery for the International Arts Movement and follows a conversation about the book of Psalms as the foundation of their friendship. U2's lead singer became friends with Peterson after they met in 2010 during the band's 360 tour.

The documentary is produced by Fourth Line Films and directed by Fourth Line's Nate Clarke. The NBP notes that the film is the first production to be released by the Pasadena school's new website, Fuller Studio, a resource from Fuller, a seminary founded by a 1940s preacher who reached the masses through radio broadcasts.

"Our hope is that as a result of watching the film, people will be curious or inspired to read the Psalms themselves and to discover this remarkable book of poetry in Holy Scripture that has captured Bono and Eugene's imaginations," David Taylor, the film's producer and director of Brehm Texas, which is an initiative of Fuller Seminary's Brehm Center for Worship, Theology and the Arts told the New Boston Post.

"Their conversation at the Peterson's home in April 2015 represented their second time to meet and it proved to be a very lovely afternoon together."

He added that the film will "connect with fans of U2, fans of Eugene's writing, church and lay leaders, artists, worship leaders, and folks involved in the intersection between faith and culture."

The Message, published in segments from 1993 to 2002, seeks to capture the tone of the text and the original conversational feel of the Greek, in contemporary English.

"While I was teaching a class on Galatians, I began to realize that the adults in my class weren't feeling the vitality and directness that I sensed as I read and studied the New Testament in its original Greek," Peterson said of why he wrote The Message. "Writing straight from the original text, I began to attempt to bring into English the rhythms and idioms of the original language. I knew that the early readers of the New Testament were captured and engaged by these writings and I wanted my congregation to be impacted in the same way. I hoped to bring the New Testament to life for two different types of people: those who hadn't read the Bible because it seemed too distant and irrelevant and those who had read the Bible so much that it had become 'old hat.'"

In a 2002 interview, Bono revealed that he read parts of the Psalms from The Message to his dying father.

As reported by The Gospel Herald, the Irish singer often talks about the importance of his Christian faith and includes spiritual themes in many of his songs. He has also suggested that Billy Graham played a significant role in his coming to faith, even giving tribute to the world-famous evangelist in the introduction to a song, "Thank you Billy Graham."

In a 2013 interview with Irish news channel RTE, Bono expressed a belief in the divinity of Jesus Christ: "[Who is Christ] is a defining question for a Christian...you're not let off easily by saying a great thinker or philosopher...he went around saying he was the Messiah...he was crucified...because he said he was the son of God. He either was the son of God...or nuts...[and] I find it hard to accept that millions of lives... have felt their lives touched and inspired by some nut. I don't believe it."

"Bono and Eugene Peterson: The Psalms" will be released April 26.

THIS SIGN HAS CREATED A HUGE STIR

by KINGDOM WORKS

Pornography has created a deadly battlefield for Christian Men. A new film series is giving men the weapons to fight, conquer and walk in freedom," read a sign at the National Religious Broadcasters convention earlier this year.

As controversial as this might seem, it looks like the sign is right on the money with 68 percent of men in church struggling with pornography. This is flowing on to families, as 56 percent of divorce cases cite pornography as being one of the causes of the break up.

The good news is that there are men in churches around the world who are walking with broken guys on their shoulders, bringing them off the battlefield of bondage and into freedom with Christ.

There are now 350,000 men who have been through the Conquer Series and are learning to conquer porn and walk in freedom.

Will you take a stand with these men and bring the Conquer Series to your church? To your families?

If you're at one of the 91% of churches that does not have a program for men, find out more about the Conquer Series today.

Visit www.conquerseries.com for more information.

SEN. TED CRUZ REACTION TO DONALD TRUMP'S BATHROOM COMMENTS "NO DIFFERENT FROM POLITICALLY CORRECT LEFTIST ELITES" ‘

by Michelle Moons

Sen Ted Cruz (R-TX) slammed Donald Trump as “no different from politically correct leftist elites” in a response to Trump’s comments criticizing North Carolina’s new transgender bathroom law.

During an appearance in NBC’s Today Show Trump commented, “Leave it the way it is. North Carolina, what they’re going through with all the business that’s leaving, all of the strife — and this is on both sides. Leave it the way it is.” He continued, “There has been so little trouble. And the problem with what happened in North Carolina is the strife and the economic — I mean, the economic punishment that they’re taking.”

Cruz issued the following response to Trump’s comments:

"Donald Trump is no different from politically correct leftist elites. Today, he joined them in calling for grown men to be allowed to use little girls’ public restrooms. As the dad of young daughters, I dread what this will mean for our daughters – and for our sisters and our wives. It is a reckless policy that will endanger our loved ones.

 Yet Donald stands up for this irresponsible policy while at the same time caving in on defending individual freedoms and religious liberty. He has succumbed to the Left’s agenda, which is to force Americans to leave God out of public life while paying lip service to false tolerance.

This is not real tolerance. The Left wants to force its belief system onto Americans across the country and silence people of faith in the public square. Unsurprisingly, Donald Trump is all too eager to join them. This simply confirms that the same man who favored partial-birth abortion and still supports public funding for Planned Parenthood will sacrifice principle on the altar of political correctness. Trump will not defeat political correctness. Today he bowed to it."

North Carolina since Gov. Pat McCrory signed the bill into law that prohibits “cities from allowing transgender individuals to use public bathrooms for the sex they identify as.” McCrory spokesman Ricky Diaz said of Trump’s comments, “Where the governor disagrees with Mr. Trump is that bathroom and shower facilities in our schools should be kept separate and special accommodations made when needed. It’s just common sense.”

Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-TX) weighed in on Trump’s comments from the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday: “Who are they trying to protect in North Carolina? They’re trying to protect innocent kids that cannot protect themselves.” He continued, “Why condemn North Carolina when they’re just trying to protect the privacy of girls?”

ESPN FIRES ANALYST CURT SCHILLING OVER A FACEBOOK POST

by Associated Press

Curt Schilling helped the Boston Red Sox end an 86-year championship drought and then immediately started squandering the goodwill he had earned.

Even before the celebratory champagne could go flat, Schilling irritated Democrats in presidential candidate John Kerry's home state — many of them Red Sox fans — by blurting out on national TV, "Vote Bush." He toyed with public office himself in 2009 after U.S. Sen. Edward Kennedy died, a plan that was complicated because, as an unenrolled voter, Schilling would have had to run as an independent.

That was the essence of the pitcher known in Boston as "The Big Schill": Outspoken, controversial, supremely confident in his opinions in the moment only to realize soon enough that he hadn't quite thought things through.

On Wednesday, Schilling was fired from his job as an ESPN baseball analyst after comments on Facebook critical of transgender rights.

The post included an image of a man wearing a long blond wig and revealing women's clothing and the phrase, "Let him in! To the restroom with your daughter or else you're a narrow minded, judgmental, unloving, racist bigot who needs to die!!!"

In response to recent laws in several states that restrict bathroom access for transgender people, Schilling added: "A man is a man no matter what they call themselves," and, "Now you need laws telling us differently? Pathetic."

The network, which suspended Schilling from the Little League World Series last year over a tweet in which he compared Muslims to Nazi-era Germans, said Wednesday night that he had been fired.
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"ESPN is an inclusive company," the network said in a statement. "Curt Schilling has been advised that his conduct was unacceptable and his employment with ESPN has been terminated."

The 49-year-old Schilling, did not immediately respond to a text message sent to the telephone number he had when he pitched for the Red Sox. But he wrote on his blog on Tuesday that his critics were "just dying to be offended so you can create some sort of faux cause to rally behind."

"There are things I have deeply held beliefs in, things I have that are core to who I am, things I am passionate about. If you ask me about them it's likely I'll give you a passionate answer," he wrote. "Whether you like that answer or not is completely up to you. I am not going to give you answers to make sure you like what I say, let the rest of the insecure world do that."

An undisputed workhorse on the pitcher's mound, Schilling had a 216-146 record in a 20-year career with five teams, adding a .846 playoff winning percentage that is among the best in baseball history. He became eligible for the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2013 and this year, his fourth on the ballot, he received more than half of the votes but far short of the 75 percent needed for induction.

A year earlier, Schilling accused the members of the Baseball Writers Association of America who vote for the Hall of holding it against him because he is a Republican. He later said he was joking.

It's a common pattern.

His strident criticism of steroid users earned him an invitation to a congressional hearing, but when called to testify, Schilling said: "The issue was grossly overstated by people, including myself."

Still, two years later he called out Barry Bonds for using performance-enhancing drugs, saying as the slugger approached baseball's career home run record: "He admitted to cheating on his wife, cheating on his taxes and cheating on the game."

The next day, Schilling apologized.

"Everyone has days and events in life they'd love to push the rewind button on, yesterday was one of those days," he wrote on the blog that was a must-read during his days in Boston.

More significantly: He bankrupted his video game business, putting nearly 300 people out of work, after burning through $75 million in loans guaranteed by Rhode Island. To satisfy his creditors, he auctioned off the contents of his home.

Schilling blamed state officials for pulling the plug prematurely.

If he was chastened by any of it, he isn't letting it show.

"I'm loud, I talk too much, I think I know more than I do, those and a billion other issues I know I have," he wrote on the blog this week after his transgender comments went viral. "Like everyone one of you I have flaws, but I'm ok with my flaws, they're what make me, me."

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