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Dr. Robert E. Nix, BBI President

Peace of Mind inTurbulent Times

The BBI BULLETIN

It is interesting to see how different people arereacting to the events of our time. With the “façadeof America’s moral fiber” having been ripped apartby recent court decisions,1 the problems of illegalimmigration threatening the stability of our nation,the possibility of a worldwide economic collapse,the probability of an attack by terrorists, and theeroding of our constitutional freedoms by executiveand judicial decrees, there are some folks that seemto be a bit unsettled. And on top of all this is piledthe frenzy of the “Bible prophecy being fulfilledtoday” crowd.2 It is probably an understatementto say that people are “concerned” about what thefuture holds. And well they should be as what liesahead are uncertain times, and just how things willplay out in the affairs of mankind is a questioneveryone is wondering about. Of course, thisstatement needs to be qualified. Indeed, thosewhose lives are tied to this world have much to beworried about, but those whose lives are tied to

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Berean Bible InstitutePO Box 587116 Kettle Moraine Dr. S.Slinger, WI 53086

Phone: (262) 644-5504Fax: (262) 644-5507

E-mail: bbi@bereanbibleinstitute.orgWeb: www.bereanbibleinstitute.org

I hope this update finds you rejoicing in the Lord.You will notice I did not say rejoicing in your circum-stances. The reason we are to rejoice in the Lord isthat He never changes. His love and grace arelavished upon all who know Him as Savior.Circumstances change like the wind, but we serveand worship a God who is our Rock and Fortress.Paul’s command in Philippians 4:4 is literally “youcontinue to rejoice in the Lord always.” This isessential, because while the world around us is inconstant motion, our eyes must be fixed on the Lord.He is our reason for rejoicing.

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IN THIS ISSUEThe Institute Update..................................................................1Peace of Mind in Turbulent Times.............................................1Mail Received at Box 587...........................................................2The Bulletin Board.....................................................................2Bible Words and Words of the Bible..........................................5Paul Beseeches the Church........................................................6Do You Know Your Bible?........................................................6

Volume 17Training for Ministry

Issue 2Rightly Dividing God’s Word

FALL 2015September, October, November

THEINSTITUTE

UPDATE

Dr. W. Edward Bedore, Editor, BBI Bulletin, BABQ

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FROM MISSOURI:

“Dear Pastors Nix and Bedore: Just wanted to tell you howmuch I appreciate and enjoy Bible Answers to BibleQuestions. The June 2015 issue was especially helpful andso interesting, learning about what the future may holdfor Israel as well as for the rest of us is most interesting.Thank you so much, also, for your efforts and hard workin preparing men and women in spreading His WordRightly Divided. Please tell Ed and Linda hello for me andHis richest blessing in your ministry. I am sending a checkto help with your efforts. May God richly bless you.”

FROM INDIA:

“Hearty Greetings to you in the precious name of JesusChrist, our Lord. I am very thankful to you for receivingthe valuable magazine every time from you. Not only I,but many brothers with me here are grateful to you really.We like to read your writings (His message!) Like ‘we aretransformed by Grace to live and serve the Lord JesusChrist.’ We are many living in various villages and areasbut one in Christ!”

FROM MINNESOTA:

“I pray daily for the Institute and its students. Eventhough, out of necessity, I am now attending a BaptistChurch, I am so thankful to have been taught ‘gracetruths.’ Thanks again for your ministry.”

FROM PENNSYLVANIA:

"Greetings in the name of our awesome Lord Jesus Christ!I had the fortune of not having to pay a ‘could have been’repair so why not send that amount to a couple of myfavorite Pauline grounded ministries. You happen to beone who hasn't received a donation from me for a while.I enjoy the literature from BBI. So, use this small amountwhere needed. I pray God to richly bless the school andyour newsletters. Because of Calvary, the grave, theresurrection, the ascension and especially stopping Paulon the way to Damascus."

A Biblical LifeA 50 page booklet on Folllthe

Christians daily life. Available for $4.00 plus S&H.

The “Bulletin Board”Upcoming Events & News

Only one life; twill soon be past.

Only what’s done “in Christ” will last.

Mail Receivedat

Box 587

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!Over the next several months we are lookingforward to some wonderful opportunities to sharethe ministry of Berean Bible Institute:

October 29—Pastors and Elders Appreciation DinnerDecember 11—BBI Volunteer DinnerJanuary 8—BBI Board MeetingJanuary 11-14—BBI Accelerated Course (218 MinistryLeadership)January 18-21—BBI On-campus and Online coursesbeginJanuary 18 – March 7—BBI Oshkosh Extension Class(105 Basic Bible Doctrines)

UPCOMING ACCELERATED COURSE

218 Ministry Leadership6:00-9:15 PM—January 11-14

Contact BBI at: 262.644.5504E-mail: bbi@bereanbibleinstitute.com,

or check out our website:www.bereanbibleinstitute.org

Register now for theWinter Semester!

On-campus classesstart January 18,

2016For more

information, classschedule,

application, or aHandbook &

Course Catalog,contact BBI.

BBI OshkoshExtension Class

January 18-March 7

105 Basic BibleDoctrines

Valley ChristianSchool in Oshkosh

Contact BBI for moreinformation today!

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Heaven need not have the same concerns. Thedistinction that we are making here is the differencebetween unsaved people, the world, and savedpeople, the true Church.3 Now, we are not sayingthat believers should have no concern at all about thedirection the world is headed and how it will affectthem, their families, and the Church in the future.What we are saying is that true Biblical Christianshave no need, and in fact are instructed not to befearful of what the future holds, at least not in thesame way the world fears. Believers can have peaceof heart and peace of mind in even the most troublingof circumstances.

While the world tries to put on a happy face andact like they believe that things will turn out “okay”in the long run, for the most part they are really afraidthat it won’t. Nevertheless, they rush on, followingtheir leaders, hoping that somehow, sometime,someone with all the answers will come to theforefront to lead them into a time of worldwide peace,prosperity, and happiness.

On the other hand, Christians have an absolutelycertain “hope” of their future. A hope that will seethem through the most turbulent of times on thisearth.4 Their hope is found in a Person who is the OneMediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus”(see I Tim. 2:5-6). Sadly though, there are many whoare “of Christ” (believers) that are as on edge aboutcurrent events and the future as those who are “of theworld” (unbelievers) are. There are three reasons forthis. All have to do with faith and one’s worldview.

First is a person’s “assurance of salvation.” Godthe Father desires that His children have completeassurance of their salvation, because without thatassurance they have a serious uncertainty of theirunconditional acceptance by the Father through faithalone in His Son. This uncertainty causes them togravitate towards a works based salvation, religiousliving, and reliance on the flesh rather than on theHoly Spirit for the power to live a life pleasing to God.The result is that their lack of “assurance in Christ”causes them to be in continuous doubt as they cannever come to a place that does not leave themwondering if they have done enough to earn God’s

favor. Some are led astray by false teachers whodesire to put them under the bondage of legalism.Others allow their own fleshly imaginations to drawthem away from the assurance of God’s Word on thematter. Salvation is by faith alone in this presentDispensation of Grace that we are living in today.We are told in God’s Word that God justifies all thosewho “believeth in Jesus” (see Rom. 3:23-26). We arealso told that “being justified by faith, we have peace withGod through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom. 5:1).

We learn from Scripture that believers are“accepted in the Beloved (Jesus Christ). In whom we haveredemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins”(Eph. 1:6-7). And lest we fear losing our salvationand becoming unsaved, we are told that we “are sealedunto the day of redemption” by the “Holy Spirit of God”(Eph. 4:30; cf. Eph. 1:13-14). When, by faith, we restin the assurance that we are secure in Christ, we canrejoice in turbulent times because we are at peacewith God and have an eternal destiny with Him.

Second, even with full assurance of theirsalvation, believers can become preoccupied with thecares of the world if they do not have complete“confidence” that God loves them and knows whatis best for them. This is especially true when hardtimes befall them. I have seen believers become bittertoward God because of loss of employment, familybreakups, financial setbacks, illness (especially ifprolonged), the suffering and/or loss of loved ones(especially children), and the list goes on and on. Thisis true even when, as is often the case, they havebrought their troubles on themselves by their ownmissteps, bad choices, and even willful disobedienceto God’s Word. But, regardless of our circumstances,we can have complete confidence in God’s love forus. It is a matter of faith, of believing that ultimatelyGod is in control and that He knows what we aregoing through when times are bad and that He doesin fact work all things “together for good to them thatlove God, to them who are the called according to Hispurpose” (Rom. 8:28). We may never know in this lifewhy God allows us to go through the trials andtribulations that we find ourselves in, but if we willtrust Him to take us through them, we will be able torejoice in Him, even in the worst of times.

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(PEACE OF MIND IN TURBULENT TIMES

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”The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to becompared to the glory that shall be revealed in us” (Rom.8:18; cf. II Cor. 4:16-18). What did Paul mean by thisstatement? Simply that as we go through hard times,God uses our circumstances to help us growspiritually mature as we learn to rely more and moreon Him. In our salvation, we are to “…rejoice in hopeof the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory intribulations also: knowing that tribulation workethpatience; and patience, experience; and experience hope:and hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God isshed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit which is givenunto us” (Rom. 5:3-5). God does not pick out certainpeople to bring calamity on, and neither does Hepromise to keep us from hard times. But, becausewe live in a sin cursed and sin drenched world,everyone who lives in it will encounter difficult timessooner or later. When believers find themselvesovertaken by unbearable troubles, they canconfidently rejoice in God’s love knowing that Hewill use even the bad things to help them grow morespiritually mature. God is able to use the very worstthat can happen in our lives to conform us “to theimage of His Son” (see Rom. 8:28-29).

Third, we must have “Biblical priorities;” prioritiesthat are the result of a “Biblical world view.” A Biblicalworld view is developed by looking at things fromGod’s perspective. We learn to do this through threeimportant steps. First, by apprehending truth throughthe study of God’s Word. Read it! Second, by agreeingwith God’s Word. Believe it! And third, by applyingGod’s Word. Live it! This calls for a completeoverhaul of how we think.

This third step is the hardest of all to take becauseall of us are ingrained with a fleshly world view tosome degree or other. We cannot overcome it on ourown. We must rely on God’s Word and the HolySpirit to transform us “by the renewing” of our mindsthat we “may prove what is that good, and acceptable, andperfect will of God” (see Rom. 12:1-2). To actually haveour mind renewed, we must be willing to allow Godto change our whole way of looking at the worldaround us. It calls for us to climb to the mountaintopof Scriptural truth in order to see beyond ourcomfortable worldly horizons of fleshly comfort and

satisfaction. It calls for us to take the admonition ofScripture found in Colossians 3:1-4 seriously. “If yethen be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above,where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set youraffections on things above, not on things on earth. For yeare dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. WhenChrist, who is our life, shall appear, then shall you appearwith Him in glory.”

Endnotes

1. Many bewail the Supreme Court’s decision on gaymarriage as having pushed our nation into a free fallof moral degeneracy, but that is not what happened.It simply exposed America for what it is, a morallybankrupt nation.

2. Many claim that current events prove that Bibleprophecy is being fulfilled today and show that weare now entering, or are on the verge of entering intothe Tribulation that will take place before the SecondComing of Christ. They are wrong. Those things willnot come to pass until after the Rapture of the Church.

3. The true Church of today is made up of all those whohave personally trusted in Jesus Christ as their Savior.Just joining a denomination or attending services in achurch building does not make a person a Christianor part of the true Church.

4. The hope that believers have in Jesus Christ is not thekind of uncertain hope that those of the world have.They hope for something that may or may not cometo pass. The believers’ hope of eternal life is absolute-ly certain because the resurrected Jesus Christ Him-self “is our Hope” (I Tim. 1:1).

Thou wilt keep him in perfect

peace, whose mind is stayed on thee:

because he trusteth in thee.

Isaiah 26:3

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BIBLE WORDS &WORDS OF THE BIBLE

Dr. W. Edward Bedore, Editor, BBI Bulletin, BABQ

OPEN THEISM

Open Theism is a misguided theological systemthat attempts to logically explain the foreknowledgeof God in its relationship to the free will of man. It isalso known as the “openness of God,” and “opentheology.” Its basic tenant is that God does not knowthe future exhaustively, but is “open” to learnwhatsoever human beings will do as they do them.Open Theism believes that the future decisions andactions of beings with a freewill cannot be known, noteven by God. Therefore, they reason, while God doesknow everything that can be known, He does not, andcannot, know the future. Some, faced with the clearteaching in Scripture that God does know the futurein regard to prophesied events, both fulfilled and yetto be fulfilled, have developed a modified stance.They say that God does know the future in regardsto what He will do (prophesied events He will causeto happen), but He does not know what individualmen and women will do.

Open Theism appeals to Scripture passages thatspeak of God as “gaining knowledge” or “changingHis mind” or “being surprised” by how thingstranspired (Gen. 6:6; 22:12; Ex. 32:14; Jonah 3:10, etc.).In their context and in light of other Scripture passagesthat teach that God does know every detail of thefuture, it is obvious that passages that speak of Godrepenting and learning from what humans do shouldbe understood as God using common day-to-daylanguage to make His point to fallen man. God doesknow what our every decision and action will be, yetit is accurate to say that He “changes His mind,” fromman’s perspective, as to what He will do based on ouractions. For instance, God planned on destroyingNineveh, but when the people repented at Jonah’spreaching, He relented and did not destroy the city(see Jonah 3:1-10). Did God know that Nineveh wouldrepent? Of course He did. Did His foreknowledgethat they would repent cause them to repent? No, theScriptures clearly say that it was the preaching of theWord of God that brought the people of Nineveh torepentance (Jonah 3:1-6; cf. Rom. 10:17; I Cor. 1:18-21).

In direct opposition to Open Theism, the psalmistwrote, “For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, OLord, thou knowest it altogether” (Ps. 139:4). In otherwords, God perfectly knows everything we say wellbefore we say it. We are also told that God’s“understanding is infinite” (Ps. 147:5). For Hisunderstanding to be infinite, His knowledge mustalso be infinite. He must know all things past,present, and future. A God that is always learningfrom man would be a God that is always changing.Every previously unknown decision and action ofeach person would add to God’s knowledge andtherefore to who and what God is. This would resultin an evolving God who is not yet all He can and willbe. That is not the God of the Bible, who is eternallyimmutable, or unchanging. Open Theism falls far short in its attempt toexplain the unexplainable through human logic. TheBible teaches that God has infinite and eternalforeknowledge of all things actual and possible and,at the same time, in His infinite sovereignty He hasgiven man a truly freewill. We must accept thisrevealed truth by faith. Open Theism should berejected as unscriptural and merely as another failedattempt of finite man to logically understand andexplain an unexplainable infinite God.

Thanks to God for my Redeemer, Thanks for all Thou dost provide!Thanks for times now but a mem’ry, Thanks for Jesus by my side!

Thanks for pleasant, balmy springtime, Thanks for dark and stormy fall!Thanks for tears by now forgotten, Thanks for peace within my soul!

Thanks for prayers that Thou hast answered, Thanks for what Thou dost deny!Thanks for storms that I have weathered, Thanks for all Thou dost supply!Thanks for pain, and thanks for pleasure, Thanks for comfort in despair!

Thanks for grace that none can measure, Thanks for love beyond compare!—August L. Storm

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PAUL BESEECHES THE CHURCHDr. W. Edward Bedore, Editor, BBI Bulletin, BABQ

“Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which causedivisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have

learned; and avoid them.” Romans 16:17

In bringing his letter to the believers at Rome to aclose, the Apostle Paul urged them to take notice ofthose who were divisive. This warning was againstbeing led astray by those who denied the teachingsof Paul and were promoting contrary doctrines.Whenever these people were found out, they were tobe identified and avoided.

Early in Paul’s ministry there were already thosewho were coming into the churches that he hadestablished and causing problems by perverting theGospel of the Grace of God. Their corruptedteachings were evidently causing divisions within thechurches. They would come in and attempt to teachdoctrines that were contradictory to the GraceMessage that Paul taught. The Apostle knew well thedanger that these kinds of people posed to theChurch. In his letters to Rome and Corinth, he dealtwith the antinomians who claimed that believersshould continue living in sin because they were undergrace (Rom. 3:5-8; 6:1-2, 15; I Cor. 5:1-13). In his letterto the Galatians, he had to deal with the oppositeextreme of legalism (Gal. 5:1-6) that was brought inby those who wanted to go back under the Law.

It is sad but true that some people come into GraceChurches claiming to believe the Grace Message but,after gaining a position of influence, they beginworking towards changing the doctrine of the church.Paul tells us that those who would divide a church bydenying what he taught “serve not the Lord Jesus Christ,but their own belly” (Rom. 16:18a). In other words, theyare not concerned with the spiritual welfare of thosein the church but are looking out for their ownmaterial gain and promotion of self-interests.

“And by good words and fair speeches deceive thehearts of the simple (innocent)” (Rom. 16:18b). Theseare smooth-talkers who lure the unsuspecting intotheir trap with persuasive reasoning (cf. Col. 2:4, 8).The trouble is that their reasoning is according to thewisdom of men rather than the wisdom of God. Thisis the direct opposite of the Apostle Paul’s method,which was to preach nothing but “Jesus Christ andHim crucified…not with enticing words of man’s wisdom,but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: that youfaith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in thepower of God” (see I Cor. 1:1-5).

This is one of the many warnings that Paulincluded in his letters to churches (see II Cor. 11:3-4;Gal. 1:6-10; 2:4, etc.). If we who know the wonderfulmessage of grace do not take heed of Paul’s warningand do as he has entreated us to do in guarding theGrace Message against those who “cause divisions andoffences contrary to the doctrine” of the Apostle of Grace,the Grace Message will be lost to the next generation.

DO YOU KNOW YOUR BIBLE?

Are You Spiritually Blinded?

But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of themwhich believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them” (II Cor.4:3-4). This passage of Scripture tells us that there are many who have heard the gospel of salvation by grace throughfaith in Jesus Christ who have not believed.

These individuals may be church members or they may not be. They may claim to be Christians or they may claim tobe atheists. It makes no difference what they claim to be or what they claim to believe, they are spiritually blind andso do not see or acknowledge their need of forgiveness of sins through the blood of Jesus Christ.

The gospel is hid or veiled from their understanding because they have chosen to believe the devil’s lie that mankindis really basically good and can somehow work out their own salvation through religion, good works, penitence, or otherself-efforts.

The truth is that all men and women are lost sinners and only through the blood of Jesus Christ can anyone’s sins beforgiven. By faith, remove that spiritual blindfold provided by Satan and receive Jesus Christ as your personal Savior.

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(THE INSTITUTE UPDATE continued from page 1)

I pray that you are both encouraged and blessed bythis Bulletin and our other publications. It is our goalto both instruct and minister to all who receive ourpublications. Thank you for your ongoing supportand encouragement.

SUPPORTING BBI THROUGH PRAYER AND GIVING

Berean Bible Institute has been blessed by the Lordover the years with partners who see the need for aschool like BBI that is committed to training men andwomen to be servants of the Lord Jesus Christ andstand unapologetically for the Grace of God. Whilewe do receive some support from student fees andtuition cost, the overwhelming majority of oursupport comes from those who give on a monthly orregular basis. To put it simply, we could not existwithout the support of our ministry partners. Withthat in mind, I am asking you to pray aboutsupporting BBI financially. Over the last ninemonths we have only once received monthly incomethat has met our monthly expenses. This has forcedus to draw from our savings and emergency fundsto cover our normal operating costs. While we areconstantly evaluating ways to cut expenses and begood stewards of God’s resources, we recognize thatthis trend cannot continue for very long. Please prayfor us and, if you are not already, consider becominga regular supporter of Berean Bible Institute.

BBI OSHKOSH WI, EXTENSION CLASS STARTING

SOON

This spring, BBI will begin offering courses inOshkosh, Wisconsin. We are excited about theprospects of expanding the reach of BBI to a newsatellite location to minister to those who cannotattend on campus classes. Beginning Monday,January 18, BBI will be offering our first course, 105Basic Bible Doctrines I. This course will run for 8weeks and go from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM. We will bemeeting at Valley Christian School, in Oshkosh, ifyou live in the area and are interested in taking thiscourse please contact Berean Bible Institute at262-644-5504.

ONLINE COURSES IN FULL SWING

On Wednesday nights we are holding two onlinecourses this semester, one is called 101 Dispen-sational Survey, and the other is 201 Pastoral

Ministry. Through these courses each week we aretraining students from: Oregon, Ohio, Maryland,Kentucky, Wisconsin, Illinois and Pennsylvania. Asone of the instructors teaching Pastoral Ministry, Isee firsthand the impact that our courses are havingon those who would otherwise not be able to takecourses at BBI. We are excited about how we can usetechnology to train men and women, support localministries, and spread the message of God’s Grace.Please pray for new students who will take advan-tage of these wonderful resources.

EVANGELISM AND FOLLOW-UP COURSE A SUCCESS

In August, we held a four night accelerated courseentitled 107 Personal Evangelism and Follow-Up.We were blessed to have Pastor and Evangelist,Dwight Anderson as our instructor. Pastor Dwightis currently Executive Director of Prison MissionAssociation and has been involved in evangelism,foreign mission, and church planting for well over25 years. The students were not only taught thetheory and content of the course, they were also ableto apply what they learned. The last night of classour students went out in teams to share the gospelin locations around the area. In one location theywere able to lead a young lady to the Lord. We praisethe Lord for His working in and through ourstudents as they were able to step out and share thewonderful message of salvation.

PASTOR, ELDERS AND WIVES APPRECIATION DINNER

As many of you know, October is PastorAppreciation Month. On Thursday, October 29th, onthe campus of Berean Bible Institute, we will behosting a special dinner honoring the sacrifice,service, and dedication of those serving as Pastorsand Elder board members. It is our desire that thisbe a time of fellowship, worship, and encouragementfor those who serve such important roles in ourchurches. I also want to encourage you to considerletting your pastor and elders know how much youappreciate their service and dedication to the Lord.

Transformed By Grace,

Dr. Robert NixPresident, Berean Bible Institute

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The BBI Bulletin is the official newsletter of the Berean Bible Institute Inc.,and is sent free of charge to any that request it.

Berean Bible Institute exists as a college level school of adult education, which endeavors to provideadvanced Biblical and doctrinal studies in accordance with the Biblical principle of right division and

the revelation of the mystery along with practical training in ministry and leadership skills, in order tohelp individuals become prepared to do the work of the ministry in local churches, the mission field, at

home or abroad, with the overall goal of making the Gospel of Jesus Christ known to the lostthroughout the world, the edification of believers, and the promotion of personal Bible study.

President & Executive Editor: Robert E. Nix, Ph.D.Managing Editor: W. Edward Bedore, Th.D.

Layout: Jessica Sadler

BEREAN BIBLE INSTITUTE116 Kettle Moraine Dr. S.

PO Box 587Slinger, WI 53086

Phone: 262.644.5504/Fax: 262.644.5507E-mail: bbi@bereanbibleinstitute.org/Web: www.bereanbibleinstitute.org

Berean Bible Institute, Inc. admits students of any race, color, and national or ethnic origin.

BEREAN BIBLE INSTITUTE116 Kettle Moraine Drive S.PO Box 587Slinger, WI 53086

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