June 3, 2016 WWJWMTD by Steve the son of John

Ouch! #4

God’s Politics: Mercy & Judgment

Doing God’s will requires understanding the politics of God. You can find all the Ouch articles 1-3 in my blog, wwjwmtd.com if you need a refresher course on my line of thinking.

Christians struggle with God’s judgment, but God’s judgment is always righteous and just. What God does is good and needful even if it brings destruction. God desires a friendship with us. If God sees that it is no longer attainable, then He uses judgment to get our attention in order to drive us to repentance.

How can He do this? Can God be fair? Why isn’t He loving and merciful all the time? The answer is simple—He made all things and all things exist because of Him. He is the Creator; we did not create ourselves. All wisdom rests in Him—that is the argument God used with Job. Job finally realized this when he said, “I knew (knowledge) but now I see (understanding).” Intelligence requires not just knowledge but understand—Proverbs supports this rationale throughout its text.

There is tragedy on the horizon for America. I believe God is giving America one last chance to correct its behavior and return to Christ. We need to be bold and use the Politics of God in reaching our leaders and the masses. If the church does not step up to the plate then judgment will surely follow. Here are my predictions:

1. Over the next 8-10 years all Christians need to get completely out of debt. If you cannot pay cash for the item do not buy it—save your money!

2. Boldness and courage embedded in the Holy Spirit will be the central characteristic that will allow one to do God’s will. His Will, will not be easy.

3. The church needs to strive for unity above any else it does. No longer is our Christian stance about me but us—we need to stand together.

4. In California three great tragedies will occur: an earth quake that will stretch 350 miles in length from San Francisco to San Diego; a tsunami that will cover greater LA from the coast line to the San Bernardino area; and the complete death and destruction of the San Joaquin Valley. Eventually nothing will be left of CA.

5. America will divide itself if it cannot find repentance and if the church does not do its job. America will no longer be or look like America if the church refuses to reach unbelievers and/or refuses to enact the politics of God.

My voice to the church is, “To call on the Lord while He may be found.”

WWJWMTD

Dr. Steven J. Wentland www.wwjwmtd.com

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June 1, 2016 WWJWMTD by Steve the son of John

Ouch! #3

Finding the Will of God by Understanding the Politics of God

I made this statement in the first of a series of articles called Ouch! (Refer to Politics: then, now, & tomorrow by visiting my blog, wwjwmtd.com):

What I have noticed, and has been confirmed by others within the church, is that Christians often look for a ‘political solution’ to the will of God.

God’s politics are not the same as the political environment in America. It is not democracy that made America great but God within the democratic process that put America on the track to becoming great. (With God you’re #1; without Him you’re last.)

If you want to do God’s will then you must operate by the ‘politics of God’. You might not like what God asks of you nor will you understand His ways or the rationale for what He does. To do God’s will require the following actions/steps.

Every time you proceed to do the will of God (God’s politics) there are a series of events, trials, and illogical commands you will encounter. Be prepared to be irrational, uncompromising, and challenging to the political climate of your day.

· No power, no calling. One has to wait for the timing and power of God to move forward in fulfilling God’s calling on your life.

· After receiving ‘calling and power’ you will be tried and challenged—do not think everyone will accept what you have to say or do.

· You will have to ‘stick-up’ for God. Without passion and courage you will never move forward in fulfilling your calling in God. (As Jesus did in the temple in over throwing the moneychangers—there must be a pivotal moment in your new ministry. David Wilkerson and Billy Graham also had such pivotal events.)

· Signs will follow those that believe! God produces preaching, miracles, and signs for all who follow Him. Expect them—God will produce them.

· Along the way you will have to decide who to believe in—yourself or God. Who are you going to follow, God’s will and commands or your way of thinking? The politics of God is so radically different than the way we think or the world’s way of doing things. Our challenge is to either do the politics of God or the politics of man—the irrational vs. the rationale.

· God’s ways produce glory for Him alone. The Spirit of God gets all things done according to His will. You will never completely understand why God does things the way He does, but you can be sure of the result—His favor.

WWJWMTD

Dr. Steven J. Wentland www.wwjwmtd.com

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May 28, 2016 WWJWMTD by Steve the son of John

Ouch! #2

The Politics of God; Finding God’s Will

As I mentioned in the first article, Ouch Politics: then, now, & tomorrow, (which you can find in my blog, wwjwmtd.com), I stated:

We think that if all is going well God is pleased with us and we are within His will. Rarely is this the case. “The Kingdom of God suffers violence and the violent takes it by force.” There is a battle for the will of God to be done on earth, either collectively or individually.

Christians struggle in defining or discovering what’s God will is for themselves or others. It does not need to be so complicated, but it must contain some common attributes that Scriptures have defined for us all. Let’s consider Proverbs—it is a book full of wisdom. Scholars and many believers think that ‘fear’ is: noun—an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain; or verb—a threat or be afraid of (someone or something) as likely to be dangerous, painful, or threatening. However, the ‘fear of the Lord’ has nothing to do with either of these definitions.

Rather, the fear of the Lord has everything to do with what God wants to do. When you want to do what God wants to do you can connect to God’s will. God’s will requires decisions on your part that leads to realizing God’s purposes.

So often we do not want what God wants. We do not like the outcomes nor does God’s actions seem rational to us. We dismiss God’s plans and focus rather on our wellbeing. The Book of Job is a great example of a man struggling to agree with God. God says one thing but Job replies, “I did nothing wrong!” Job did not agree with God nor did he believe God was fair to him.

Job lost his children, all his income/possessions, and his health. His wife left him and his friends criticized him. Job became a pawn in the hands of Satan, and God allowed all this evil to happen to him. Job wanted to know why, and believed he did nothing to deserve all of this. He decided to enter into a debate with God. When God finally came face to face with Job, God said to Job, “Come-on Job answer me”, but Job said “I rather be silent.”

This is the bottom line regarding the ‘fear of the Lord and God’s will’. Whatever God decides to do—it is always right and just—no matter what! God said to Job, “Who made you my counselor? How can you ever know what is righteous and just?”

God’s ways are not our ways. It is hard to comprehend why God does what He does. Not everything that appears good comes from God and not all hard times come from God. To know and understand the difference is wisdom and the fear of the Lord. The Kingdom of God is righteousness, joy and peace in the Holy Spirit. It was not joyful for Jesus to be crucified and suffer what God had planned for His Son, but the Bible said, “that because of the joy set before Him (Jesus), He endured the cross and despised the shame.” Job did not understand this wisdom till the very end of the Book of Job.

Are we willing to endure our cross and despise the shame and rejection of others? Are we willing to experience all God’s will for our lives? Do we have the fear and knowledge that comes solely from God? Are you able to find His wisdom for your life? Can you say, “I fear the Lord?” Can you say, “No matter what you do Lord or ask of me, it is always right, just and fair?” Are you willing to experience the purposes of God in your generation? Are you willing to accept the politics of God?

WWJWMTD

Dr. Steven J. Wentland www.wwjwmtd.com

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May 25, 2016 WWJWMTD by Steve the son of John

Ouch!

Politics: then, now, & tomorrow

I do not know if you remember my predictions for 2016—they have proven to be correct. I am not boosting but anyone who is walking in the Spirit of Christ would also have known what is to come. God has made this promise to His believers. (You can find the article in my blog, wwjwmtd.com, titled The Year 2016: What Can We Expect?)

What is on the horizon for America over the next few years? Of course, the next eight to ten years will carry with it both blessings and curses: either good times of God’s providence, protection, and provision or terrible times of broken lives, tragedies, and personal loss. I think this is an obvious prediction because we are living in the last days and the Bible makes this quite clear.

Nevertheless, at times we can know the specifics of future events, but one must realize that there are many voices within our culture and the Body of Christ that are either false predictions or God given words of divine intervention. What I have noticed, and has been confirmed by others within the church, is that Christians often look for a ‘political solution’ to the will of God. This was very obvious with all the religious rhetoric in the Republican Party in deciding a Presidential candidate.

Christians want to control God’s will or define God’s will for others in order for voters to follow a particular leader. God’s will is not always obvious nor is it easy. ‘His Will’ has ups and downs; valleys and hilltops; and/or within a large group of people or ‘you are on your own’. You have to search for it and be willing to accept it once it is known in order to experience the will of God fully.

We think that if all is going well, what we have planned or according to our own way of thinking, that God is pleased with us—‘that we are within His will’. That is rarely the case. “The Kingdom of God suffers violence and the violent takes it by force.” There is a battle for the will of God to be done on earth, either collectively or individually. (You need to read the book, Battle Ready by Steve Farr to gather insight into God’s will and what your part might be.)

Christians do not need a ‘political spirit’ but the simple truth of God’s will. I strongly suggest that over the course of the next 8 years that God wants to do some spectacular things regarding leadership in America, but it will not come from either political effort, the ‘church’ as we know it, or only through prayer. It will come with actions and purposes deeply embedded within God’s spoken will for His Body to do.

I believe God is looking and preparing Josephs, Ruths, Daniels, Esthers, and who ever will respond to God’s voice to make a difference. God is looking for individuals or small groups that will confront today’s leaders with prophetic words and with miracles & wonders that will cause leaders to take notice and obey what God has to say.

God wants young and old, male and female, rich or poor, uneducated or scholars to be bold by taking a stance against what is evil (all that is outside of His will) and for God’s will to be done in the scope of national decisions and circumstances.

Yes, it is time to reach for God’s plow, to find courage beyond reason, and to be dependent on Christ alone—to be willing for God to be honored and glorified. We need many Moses’s to go into dark political climates and confront today’s leaders at all levels of government—to encourage leaders to do God’s will. Do not look for a political solution, but rather to obey God in sending you and doing what He asks you to do—unafraid and unashamed!

Will you be one of those people? Will you catch the vision of God’s will? Will you stand along the pillars of faith that are mentioned in Hebrews? Will you be, whom God wants you to be?

WWJWMTD

Dr. Steven J. Wentland www.wwjwmtd.com

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March 27, 2016 WWJWMTD by Steve the son of John (S2oJ)

2016 Passion Week Series #4

HE IS RISEN!

Risen: 1. To assume a standing position after lying. 2. To get out of bed. 3. To move from a lower to a higher position; ascend. 4. To increase in value. 5. To appear above the horizon. 6. To extend upward; be prominent. 7. To originate; come into existence. 9. To increase in intensity, force, pitch or prominence. 10. To attain a higher status. 11. To return to life. 12. To close a session of an official assembly; adjourn.

HE IS RISEN INDEED!

WWJWMTD

Dr. Steven J. Wentland www.wwjwmtd.com

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March 26, 2016 WWJWMTD by Steve the son of John (S2oJ)

2016 Passion Week Series #3

To Be Like Peter

Peter (a disciple of Jesus) had a challenging and very disappointing experience at Calvary. Like Peter, many of us have good intentions by wanting to help and stay close to Jesus, but often our best efforts fall short. We become embarrassed and feel that we have ‘let God down’. We failed ourselves and believe God has rejected us.

Jesus told Peter before the series of events in Jerusalem that He had prayed for him "that his faith would not fail him.” Jesus knew of Peter’s rejection of Him before it happened. I am sure God knows your and my failures before they also happen. Nevertheless, Christ still loved Peter in the mist of his failure. He made a way for Peter and for us to not lose hope, feel rejected, or crumble under a cloud of low self-worth.

Here are some quotes I have used over the years to help others in their journey during Calvary experiences, i.e. when you know you have failed God and others. God has something better for you—your failures do not deter God from His plan for your life. Do not throw away your confidence and purposeful self-esteem in God. He loves you—that will never change! Your faith will indeed carry you through to life’s end.

Quotes from Steve the Son of John (S2oJ)

It’s easy to fail, that is why I do not worry about it.

Wisdom is meant for peace not answers.

The closer I get to God, the more persecution I encounter.

God cares what you care about!

The Church often celebrates fearfulness rather than confidence in God.

Question: Does God allow water-skiing in Heaven? Answer: Of course

He does but without skies, we now walk on water.

There are three things that kill brain cells…reading your local newspaper is #3.

What does salvation have to do with righteousness, very little to nothing at all?

God has found me many more times than me finding Him.

When you let your mind get ahead of your heart, you will lose life’s race.

The three most important words for any Christian are, “I choose God!”

Creation’s Premise: Before the foundation of the world God planned for you to be married, and if He planned this for you, then He has the perfect mate for you.

Believing is: God is who He says He is and will do what He said He would do.

I love my animals; I find them smarter and more loyal than most people I know.

I’m important (not because of my successes, academic degrees, nor being smart/talented/tall, or even because of my good looks or personality, but only) because of the love of Jesus in my life.

As a Christian the only ‘right’ God has given me is the ‘right to become a son of God’.

Faith is not believing, trusting or hoping but simply responding to what God asks.

I neither pay attention to nor feel required to do what others think of me or desire me to do. If I did, I would never get done what God asks of me.

Get out of the boat and into the storm. It by far the safest place to be.

The Fruit of the Spirit are the outcomes of the Holy Spirit working in your life; the Gifts of the Spirit are the tools of methodology the Holy Spirit manifests in the Body of Christ.

Need a friend? Try the Holy Spirit—He will ‘stick closer’ than a big brother.

WWJWMTD

Dr. Steven J. Wentland www.wwjwmtd.com

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March 25, 2016 WWJWMTD by David Hauser

2016 Passion Week Series #2

From Calvary to Unity—An Anointing Opening the Heavens

There is a host of articles and books that are written on this subject. When one follows those who carry an anointing for healing I have often wanted to ask them how they received it. It is interesting that there are many explanations on how it was acquired. All of us should want to experience an anointing that will set the captive free, will cause people to cry out, "what must I do to be saved," or see a release of signs and wonders.

I would like to share a quality of anointing that the Scripture says is found in the cluster, Isaiah 65:8.

Unity has always been important to me, and to the International Association of Healing Rooms. I remember about 15 years ago ministering in Lima Peru when my wife and I shared a common vision which we both saw. We had a vision of a Rodeo, and a bull had been release with a cowboy in quick pursuit. He threw his rope around the bull’s neck and proceeded to jump off his horse, and grabbed the bull by his head flipping it on his back and tied it legs. I asked the Lord; what does all this mean. I then heard God say, "If I can turn the head the body will follow."

Since that time over the last decade I knew that God wanted to minister to leadership in such a way that they would cry out for unity. That is why I love the IAHR because there is such a wonderful desire to see Unity in the Body of Christ. Rick Taylor once told me there are enough sick people to go around, and to bless other ministries in the Body of Christ even when they don’t want to be with us. Have you ever wondered why Unity is so important, maybe the reason is ‘that the world may know’ John 17:23, or possibly because God said He would make it a place of commanded blessing. Psalms 133:3, we call this ‘Love’s Anointing’!

We all resonate at times with different frequencies, the question must be asked, what is God’s frequency. The enemy often comes to say something that is familiar but not quite true. If we walk in the Spirit we will know what He is saying. Genesis 3:1

There are over 100 varieties of Olive trees. A friend of mine shared with me that not all oil is alive. Some oil has a 4 star rating. To have high quality oil one must have a good root system and good soil. Olive trees like hills for growth over flat ground. There has always been a call to the Church to come up to the heavenly places. Olive trees have 4 distinct seasons. We have seasons in our lives too. There is one very important fact and that is that once the olives have been picked, you have about 24 hours to press and retrieve the oil, or it can spoil.

Anointing should be a daily experience. Yesterday’s oil is never as good as today’s oil. In order to have enough oil you need a lot of wind, and I mean a-lot of wind. Bees are not the principle source of pollination! Finally what is critical for anointing, or good oil is you need lots of variety of olive trees which brings the cross pollination.

The Body of Christ coming together mixed with these three spices of prayer, worship and thanksgiving, will produce more and more of the Kingdom of God.”Even so come Lord Jesus!

WWJWMTD

Dr. Steven J. Wentland www.wwjwmtd.com

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March 24, 2016 WWJWMTD by Steve the son of John

2016 Passion Week Series

Forgiveness Worth Asking For

Christ claimed your sin by calling your sin His own. He took it willingly and yet it could not hold Him the Bible says. How could that happen, by God placing all the sin and sickness from the world upon His Son? How did Christ overcome all our sin? It is only through forgiveness. Yes, Christ asked for forgiveness for your sin that became His sin. He did not hesitate to find mercy from God. When your sin became His sin, Christ knew it needed to be forgiven by God His Father.

Psalm 51 talks specifically about Christ finding forgiveness for your sin/His sin. As we look back to Christ, David looked forward to Christ. David saw Christ so intimately that he wrote about Christ’s passion—Christ’s struggle to ask for forgiveness from His Father. David’s son, Solomon, said his father ‘found great mercy’. This could only happen if David realized how much God loved him through Christ and how great the forgiveness that God granted all of us through Christ’s passion.

If Christ prayed this prayer (Psalm 51) either before or during His crucifixion what should we be praying? What should our attitude and position be toward finding forgiveness? Should it not be as Christ found forgiveness from His Father? We ought to be praying for forgiveness as Christ did! Do not take forgiveness for granted. The Bible says that we must ask and believe in Christ and confess our sins. Christ is our example; we ought to do the same. I believe Psalm 51 refers to every type of sin, the process for forgiveness from sins, to even offering freedom from the destructive power of sin. We need only to pray what Christ prayed and believe that “it is finished”.

What is included in our prayer of forgiveness and what should our demeanor be?

ü Forgiveness is based on God’s mercy and loving kindness, and you can count on God hearing you.

ü Forgiveness includes tender mercies, not judgment or condemnation—ask for God’s record of your sin to be completely wiped out.

ü Forgiveness requires washing and cleansing so nothing of the sin’s residue is left behind or visible.

ü We must acknowledge our sin and realize that the Holy Spirit makes sin exceedingly sinful during forgiveness. We need the Spirit’s help.

ü The ability to sin came to us through the wrong doing of others; sin has a domino effect. We acknowledge the hold sin has on us and ask that it be broken and stopped.

ü God wants us to have truth and wisdom to replace the sin that is taken away.

ü “God, you wash me and I will be clean”—you can count on God to do this.

ü Forgiveness brings joy and gladness, which will cause you to rejoice.

ü Ask God to forgive your sin to the point of ‘never-ever’ seeing your sins again.

ü Forgiveness brings a clean heart and a right spirit—ask for this to happen.

ü “Do not allow sin to take God’s presence or Holy Spirit from you. You will need His presence and the power of the Holy Spirit during forgiveness.

ü Ask for joy and freedom during the process of forgiveness.

ü Be willing to tell others about the forgiveness God gives you.

ü Forgiveness can take away all the ‘guilt of sin’ you have acquired so tell God to give you salvation and righteousness to take its place.

ü Sing songs of praise to God for His forgiveness, realizing that God does not need whatever sacrifices of works you are tempted to do but rather be broken and sorry for your sin alone.

ü Once you have forgiveness ask God to build walls of protection around you—to give you walls of His righteousness and offerings of praise to the God of Gods and Lord of Lords.

Ask for forgiveness as Christ did. Do not be afraid or shy. It is God who wants to forgive. God has forgiven every aspect, type, depth, and kind of sin. Believe, ask and proclaim what Christ claimed for you—total, complete and perfect forgiveness.

WWJWMTD

Dr. Steven J. Wentland www.wwjwmtd.com

This e-mail, including attachments, may include confidential and/or proprietary information, and may be used only by the person or entity to which it is addressed. If the reader of this e-mail is not the intended recipient or his or her authorized agent, the reader is hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution, or copying of this e-mail is prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error, please notify the sender by replying to this message and delete this e-mail immediately.

February 29, 2016 WWJWMTD by Steve the son of John

Need I Say More Series #7

Always in Love

Being an overcomer is what Christ wants from each and every one of us. Notwithstanding, there is a quality that precedes being an overcomer and keeping your ‘position of overcoming’ on a daily basis.

Often we think serving God is about doing things His way or having enough faith or showing an over abundance of mercy to others. These are all good but miss the mark when it comes to Jesus’ teachings. May I remind you—to love God first!

When we get lost in the ‘fight of righteous’ or the ‘business of helping others’ to the point we lose ourselves and the closeness to what all of this was for—being in love with God. We need to be reminded of what it is like to be in love. I learned “what being in love” is from my wife, Alonna.

When I met Alonna she did not like me. It took sometime for me to win her over—she thought I was an egocentric, self-centered, macho male that thought he knew everything—she was not far from the truth. Needless to say, I was able to show her some of my better qualities and she fell in love with me.

We would go on a date and when I got home, I would talk with her for hours on the phone till early in the morning. I just could not talk with her enough, be with her—seeing her smile and laughing with her. I could not get enough of her…never have; never will.

Jesus, God the Father, and the Holy Spirit are just the same to me. I have fallen in love all three persons of the Trinity. It was easy, They just showed up at different times of my life, and I followed Their leads—Their love for me. Just like Alonna’s love.

God’s love is better than life! I just cannot get enough of Him! I am in love with the Trinity! I cultivate my relationship with my wife and as we grow older—I remember and will never forget—I am in love.

Even so, it is also with Christ, God and the Holy Spirit. I will not forget; I do things that remind me of my love for Them. I make sure I have my favorite Bible verses, inspirational songs, and conversations that move my spirit and bring His presence.

Want to be an overcomer, try staying in love with Christ! Our love for Him demand actions that promote and show our love—not so different that being in love with your wife. Yes, I am an overcomer by His blood, by my testimony and being in love with Him!

Come Lord Jesus, come!

WWJWMTD

Dr. Steven J. Wentland www.wwjwmtd.com

This e-mail, including attachments, may include confidential and/or proprietary information, and may be used only by the person or entity to which it is addressed. If the reader of this e-mail is not the intended recipient or his or her authorized agent, the reader is hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution, or copying of this e-mail is prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error, please notify the sender by replying to this message and delete this e-mail immediately.

February 28, 2016 WWJWMTD by Steve the son of John

Need I Say More Series #5

Being an Overcomer

You have to be a fool to not want to make it to heaven. Even if you are not a believer in God most people rather be safe than sorry. However, it is not about how good God is—He is good all the time, but how good you are—that’s what makes the difference.

I am reminded of the verses in the Book of Revelation that keep quoting the same phrase, “To him that overcomes I will…” God is looking for ‘overcomers’. Who are those types of people? What do they do? Can I become one? Are there examples?

Revelation 21:7-8: “He that overcomes shall inherit all things and I will be his God and he shall be my son. But the fearful, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, fornicators & adulterers, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”

Ouch! I do not want to be described by any of those attributes. I rather “inherit all things” God has to offer. But my question still demands an answer, ‘How do I get there—to become an overcomer?’

You can find this statement in Revelation (12:11), “And they overcame him (Satan) by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony: and they loved not their lives unto the death.”

OK, I get the first part, “The blood of the Lamb”. I know what that means—the blood of Christ shed for me on Calvary, can wash away my sin. I know this, I have felt this, and I experience this often in my life—often daily.

But what does the phrase mean, “…by the word of their testimony?” Do I have to have a testimony? If I do what is it? Is each person unique—that is, do each of us have our own testimony that God honors and recognizes? I need a testimony!

Abraham has this testimony, “That he was searching for a city whose builder and makers is God.” Enoch said, “He pleased God.” Sarah said, “She judge Him (God) faithful who will keep His promise.” Moses’s mother “Was not afraid of king-pharaoh’s commandment.” And others, “Who out of weakness were make strong, were tortured not accepting deliverance, wrought righteousness and obtained promises.”

What is your testimony? Are you searching for a city? Do you judge God faithful? Or do you simply please God? My testimony, that’s simple, “I am a friend of God!”

Come Lord Jesus, come!

WWJWMTD

Dr. Steven J. Wentland www.wwjwmtd.com

This e-mail, including attachments, may include confidential and/or proprietary information, and may be used only by the person or entity to which it is addressed. If the reader of this e-mail is not the intended recipient or his or her authorized agent, the reader is hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution, or copying of this e-mail is prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error, please notify the sender by replying to this message and delete this e-mail immediately.