Accounting News and Notes » Taking Christianity Into the World: WWJD (What Would Jesus Do)

Finding Total Freedom in Christ

John Dillard — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 16:51:33 +0000

Finding Total Freedom in Christ

Praising the Greatness of Our King

We pray that each of you are truly denying yourselves and carrying your cross this week. We pray that you are rejoicing in the freedom you have in Christ but not taking advantage of it. We pray that you are growing in His grace and love and being renewed in knowledge in the image of your Creator! We serve a Mighty God! Stop and think for a minute that the God who created the entire universe and uses the earth as His footstool, loves you enough to be intimately involved in your life and orchestrates every detail! Incredible! This week at 7 Bridges we are rejoicing in the Greatness of our King and praise Him for all He has done! We have a full house here at the Garden and are seeing lives being transformed daily. Please continue to pray for us and each person that comes through this ministry. Thank you for your prayers and for those of you that are sowing into this ministry, either with your time and service or your donations. You are needed and we cannot do it without you. Have a blessed week and remember that you are highly favored by the Lord! ** FYI- We are planning on having another concert on October 30th at 7pm so mark your calendars now so you can plan to come!

GO JESUS GO JESUS GO! LOVE, PASTOR 7

Pastor 7 with 7 Bridges to Recovery is doing great things to Feed the Homeless of Atlanta while spreading the word of God. I suggest you go down and see what he is doing on the weekends to take the message to the streets of Atlanta. I believe he would be a great speaker to the whole congregation and Discipleship Groups as people are looking for opportunities to get real with their faith by being the very Hands and Feet of Jesus Christ. You can read about his Ministry at http://www.7bridgestorecovery.org/home_page.html We are actively involved in going and supporting Pastor 7 and the great work he is doing to Serve the Lost, the Last & the Least. If a video is worth a thousand words these will indeed be priceless http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsEGkj30R5Y&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0j3NgC8fXw

John Dillard, CPA of His CPA, PC (An Atlanta CPA firm) 1940 Woods River Lane, Duluth, GA 30097 Phone 770-814-9304 http://www.hiscpa.com/ http://www.john-dillard.com/ To retain John Dillard CPA (An Atlanta Christian Speaker/Author) for your business group or church congregation, you can contact him today at 770.814.9304

Dare to Attempt Something so Great for the Kingdom of God that it is doomed to failure, lest Christ be in it!

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Christian Author’s Four Books Are NOW Available

John Dillard — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 13:49:04 +0000

Christian Author’s Four Books Are NOW Available

John Dillard – Author…A Message from John Dillard CPA

After publishing Overcoming Life’s 9/11’s, I was honored to be nominated for the Georgia Author of the Year Award for 2009 by the Georgia Writer’s Association. The publication of A Voice of One earned me the honor of being nominated for Georgia Author of the year for 2010.

Over the years I felt a tugging on my heart to write. For a great while I did not know what my subject was to be about but eventually, the Holy Spirit revealed what he wanted for my life and for me. My first book was a Christian Fiction/Romance/Murder Mystery titled Charleston Dawn and is about romance the way God intended. After I wrote my first book, I felt God prompting me to write Low Country Calling which is an action packed thrill a minute ride as an F-18 Super Hornet fighter pilot bravely faces near disaster over the air and on the desert floor in Iraq. After his narrow escape from death, our pilot is eventually called to be a pastor in the Low Country of Charleston, South Carolina.

One of the talents God alone has blessed me with is one of exhortation. Over the last thirty years of my life, my focus has been predominantly on the New Testament. As I have grown both in my walk and my study of the Bible, I have discovered the richness, body and compassion of the Old Testament. No longer do I see an angry God but how much he loves each and every one of us deeply and whose undeniable commitment to his people is frequently missed amidst many of the Old Testaments tribulations. Thus, I set out to write the Inspiration Series!

After several months of prayer to discover what it is God would have me write, I opened my Bible to the first page of the book of Nehemiah in the Old Testament. There I discovered fresh revelations of which I had never before heard or seen. Discovering God’s grace and compassion, I studied and as God divinely guided my hand, I wrote A Voice of One and how Nehemiah, a layman, steps out to accomplish great things in God’s name. I had my own “Nehemiah type” experience as I was led to change Georgia law requiring restitution for medical and counseling care to be paid by the guilty party to the victims of felony crimes.

Soon afterward, I wrote Overcoming Life’s 9/11’s as God revealed his truth to my heart and mind. Learning new truths from scripture, I discovered God’s hand both in my life and that of others. Studying in the Old Testament the book of Job, we come face to face as we learn God will never forsake us or give us more than we can bear. I also wrote Overcoming Life’s 9/11’s as a result of two prolonged illnesses that included four major surgeries, cancer, diverticulitis, and six weeks of hospital stay.

Though God’s word can never be summed up in any less than the Bible, which is God’s ultimate love story to his people, A Voice of One & Overcoming Life’s 9/11’s are a manual Believers will be able to review again and again each time gaining fresh insight to their walk. In my own life I have learned through careful study and analysis that we all need a spiritual road-map to guide us along life’s way. Through this study and effort, I have learned much of what I feel led to pass along to others as they seek God’s will for their lives.

I believe that God has specifically called me to this place and time and to share His word and love with all that I encounter. I have learned that through diligence, perseverance, and faith that we indeed can do great things in His name. Our task is simply to be obedient and to perform the tasks He set out before us while leaving all the results and all the glory to Christ. John strives to live by his pastor’s words, “We should all dare to accomplish something so great that it is doomed to failure lest Christ be in it!”

No one, no not one of us is given a spirit to timidity, we are to go out and to live our lives as Jesus would boldly stepping out in faith to lead others in love to a closer relationship with Christ. John’s favorite Apostle was Paul who suffered gladly claiming the name of Christ for all of his doings while taking no personal credit all the while fervently spreading the Good News of the Gospel. Paul counted it great joy in all his sufferings and in his weakness he found the perfect strength of our Savior. Paul indeed counted it great gain to die, as he knew that he would join Christ in the heavens and would live with Him forever!

John’s favorite Bible verses are used in his writing and are some of the many of God’s promises that he clings in his own walk with Christ. This effort has been one of love, one to share who God is and can be in your life while telling you of how much God loves you and wants you to accept his calling. God wants to be the true center of your life. All you have to do is believe and to have faith. Reach out for Him in all that you do and Christ will find you in a deep and meaningful way!

“A Voice of One calling: ‘In the desert prepare the way for the LORD; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God’” Isaiah 40:3

To read about our other published works visit http://www.john-dillard.com/

“Dare to Attempt Something so Great for the Kingdom of God, that it is Doomed to Failure Lest God be in it!”

John Dillard, CPA of His CPA, PC (An Atlanta Christian CPA firm) 1940 Woods River Lane, Duluth, GA 30097 Phone 770-814-9304 http://www.hiscpa.com/ (All Rights Reserved) To retain John Dillard CPA (An Atlanta CPA) for your business group or church congregation, you can contact him today at 770.814.9304. To discover John Dillard’s Published Books and their vision visit http://www.john-dillard.com/

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Restoring Volkswagens as We Restore Our Lives

John Dillard — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 00:27:11 +0000

Restoring Volkswagens as We Restore Our Lives

What Are You Doing to Draw Others Closer to God…Taking Christianity Into the World

Just as an Older VW Needs Love & Attention so Do We Need to Work to Grow Like Him

Well, the Bugs4Christ team started on a new project. We are working on restoring a bright yellow 71 Super Beetle. Tonight, Tyler, Curtis, Cole, and I did body work. This bug does not have major damage but there are quite a few dings, especially on the fenders. Even though the dings are minor they still take a lot of time to fix right. We are still learning the fine art of mixing and applying bondo!

Working on the car tonight reminded me that I get a lot like that yellow bug. My spiritual life has not suffered a major crash but I allow myself to get numerous dings and scratches as I drive down this road called life. When I fail to consistently pray, study my Bible, worship,… I end up getting dinged up spiritually. Fortunately we have a savior who wants us to look and feel new. He died on the cross to forgive our sins (past present and future), So tonight I am going to spend some time with Him and ask Him to forgive me for neglecting my relationship with Him. How about you?

John Albrycht, a youth pastor involved his youth group in the secret restoration of a 1971 VW Beetle. The project was dubbed “Bugs4Christ” and the Beetle soon became an object lesson in how God wants to restore our hearts to a right relationship with him. John wanted his youth to understand the mandate of Hebrews 10:23-25: “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope that we profess, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another and all the more as you see the Day approaching!” He wanted his youth to feel the power of encouraging others by restoring and giving the gift of unconditional love to the owner of the vintage car. Since that first incredible project, the members of this ministry have been involved in several other restoration projects including on the Mission Field in the desert of New Mexico as we loved and mentored our Native Americans, the Navajo. You can read more at www.Bugs4Christ.webs.com

Our Purpose: Mentor young men and women in their walk with Christ, while teaching them how to restore Volkswagen Beetles. We also model for them Christ’s unconditional love by giving these vehicles to those in need. On the Navajo Indian Reservation in Pueblo Pintado, NM we rebuilt a Volkswagen Beetle “VW” as the talk about the reforming, restoring and redeeming power of Christ. If you would like to be a part of our mission to serve the Lost, the Last and the Least I invite you to consider how you might partner with us by donating a part to the VW that will be used next year or that you family may want to go. For just as God calls us all to serve, we believe that Family Mission Trips are a way to bring all of those you most love closer to God.

To get a feel for our work on the Mission Field in Pueblo Pintado NM might I invite you to watch our video at http://bit.ly/QS0V9 If you listen and watch with an open heart, it will change your world. To gain a glimpse of our vision visit or if your church wants to get involved with our work visit http://www.hiscpa.com/blog/2009/07/30/casting-a-vision-navajo-family-missions-taking-christianity-into-the-world/

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Let Others Know How Much You Love Christ…Taking Christianity Into the World

John Dillard — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 23:57:03 +0000

Let Others Know How Much You Love Christ…Taking Christianity Into the World

The below is a recent example of a note we might receive from a Believer in Christ. Are you letting others know how much you love Christ?

I am an Accounting student in the Georgia State University. Most importantly, however, I am a follower of Christ! For this reason, I was searching the Internet one day to see if there were any Christian CPA firms and His CPA PC was the only one that came up. It also just so happened to be in Georgia. I checked it out and was encouraged to see the many scriptures posted all over your site. For quite some time I have been praying about what the Lord wanted me to do in respect to my future vocation (Missions is something that has been on my heart as well). The more I searched scripture, especially in Acts, I saw how often the brethren took care of the needs of the other brethren. The Apostle Paul also talks about how his hands have provided for himself and those who were with him (like when he stops to make tents). Many of these scriptures were ones I read while in Mexico helping out at an orphanage where most of the kids were followers of Christ.

It is my hope that I will be able to use the degree I will receive to help those in need (like it talks about in the New Testament) and to play a part in missions, locally and abroad. I am looking to work with others who are dedicated to the Lord and His glory!

“Dare to Attempt Something so Great for the Kingdom of God, that it is Doomed to Failure Lest God be in it!”

John Dillard, CPA of His CPA, PC (An Atlanta Christian CPA firm) 1940 Woods River Lane, Duluth, GA 30097 Phone 770-814-9304 http://www.hiscpa.com/ (All Rights Reserved) To retain John Dillard CPA (An Atlanta Christian Speaker/Author) for your business group or church congregation, you can contact him today at 770.814.9304. To discover John Dillard’s Published Books and their vision visit http://www.john-dillard.com/

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Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God

John Dillard — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 13:48:53 +0000

Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God

I came across your quote “Dare to Attempt Something So Great for the Kingdom of God that it is Doomed to Failure, Lest Christ be in it,” while surfing the Net, and felt compelled to drop you a note and let you know what a blessing it was to come across such motivational and moving words. I own a small, but growing printing company, and dream of building it into a Franchiser so that I have the resources to travel the world not only as a missionary, but also as a venture capitalist investing in third world-based entrepreneurs. I hope this note finds you well…Have a great weekend!

Below is my response:

Thanks for visiting www.HisCPA.com and your most kind words.

Seek God in all that you do, consistently seek to learn more about Him and honor his precepts with your obedience and He will speak to and lead you.

If you need a CPA along the way we market exclusively to new ventures such as yours.

Be blessed & have a great day in the Lord,

John Dillard, CPA of His CPA, PC, 1940 Woods River Lane, Duluth, GA 30097 Phone 770-814-9304 http://www.HisCPA.com/ //www.John-Dillard.com/

Dare to Attempt Something so Great for the Kingdom of God that it is doomed to failure, lest Christ be in it!

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Seeking Great Things for the Kingdom of God

John Dillard — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 17:21:15 +0000

Seeking Great Things for the Kingdom of God

A Open Letter to Volkswagen of America

During our week on the reservation we all saw the Bugs 4 Christ team build a VW in less than a week. Each day John Albrycht provided wonderful object lessons to anyone that would gather around to listen. God was truly amazing as we transformed that Volkswagen Beetle in less than 5 days.

How would you all like to do more great things? What if we all pulled together and contributed to help improve the “shop” in Gray, GA? This is where John does most all of his restorations. As you can see in the pictures I’ve attached the “shop” is not much larger than the paint booth that we had at Pueblo Pintado. Most of the work they do on the cars is outside and they only use the shop when they need to. Wouldn’t it be great if we could help provide them with some additional covered space and upgrade what they have? John was recently given a Ford Bronco and a school bus that they will be restoring and giving to someone in need. Jack in New Mexico was also given a 1971 VW bus that will eventually make its way to someone in Pueblo Pintado. God is continuing to work in incredible ways through Bugs4Christ.

It would be great to SURPRISE John with our donations at the reunion on September 26. If you would like to donate by check, please make it payable to Bugs4Christ. At this time they are not an approved 501c3 – non-profit organization, but are working on it. You can bring the donations to me at the reunion party or give them to me anytime between now and then. If you know of others that might like to contribute, by all means let them know (but let’s keep this just between all of us so we can surprise John). I can’t wait to see how God will provide.

If you’re interested in checking out the website take a look here http://bugs4christ.webs.com/navaj0missiontrip.htm You can scroll through the pictures and see the weeks progress.

Again, it was an awesome week. Let’s see what we can do to help John continue to do great things with this ministry.

In God’s Grace,

John Dillard, CPA of His CPA, PC, 1940 Woods River Lane, Duluth, GA 30097 Phone 770-814-9304 http://www.HisCPA.com/ http://www.John-Dillard.com/

Dare to Attempt Something so Great for the Kingdom of God that it is doomed to failure, lest Christ be in it!

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Too Cold to Work: When the World Freezes You Out, Seek Your Creator

John Dillard — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 14:36:18 +0000

Too Cold to Work: When the World Freezes You Out, Seek Your Creator

What Are You Doing to Draw Others Closer to God…Taking Christianity Into the World

Too Cold To Work

Well, we painted the Ghia just in time. It has now stayed below freezing for more than a week. I just can’t motivate myself to go work on the car when the temperature in the shop is below 40! I guess it is just too comfortable inside the house by the fireplace.

I get like that spiritually also. Sometimes it just feels too uncomfortable to serve the Lord like He wants me to. Like that cold shop, Jesus asks us to go places and do things that take us way out of our comfort zone. Just like that car is not going to get finished if I don’t get off of my rear end and risk getting a little cold, God’s work is not going to get done if I don’t get off my rear end and risk getting a little uncomfortable.

As much as In enjoy admiring a totally restored VW, it pales in comparison to the joy I get when I allow God to work through me to do His will!

The Big Question: What work are you going to do for God this year? Will you do it even if it is uncomfortable?

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Christian Author’s book Overcoming Life’s 9/11’s by John Dillard CPA

John Dillard — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 14:25:53 +0000

Christian Author’s book Overcoming Life’s 9/11’s by John Dillard CPA

The walk of a Christian is often fraught with trials and tribulations leading to both defeat and victory. Life’s tragedies, your personal 9/11’s come into our lives seemingly in waves as we face obstacles, which both challenge our confidence and test our faith. Time stood still as the towers fell on that fateful day on September 11, 2001 and lives all over the world were changed forever and the world as we knew it would never be the same. It is only by the power of an almighty God that we are to persevere.

God shares his wisdom with us so we might overcome the world. By leaning on him in the darkness that befalls us, we are able to rise above circumstances that otherwise might cripple our lives. There will be times when you will feel abandoned by all those about you who choose to criticize rather than support and encourage you. We all need a “safe place to fall,” a family member or a brother or sister in Christ who will comfort us in our time of need. Come along one man’s journey as he loses it all becoming both mentally and physically challenged at every turn discovering God never leaves his side and indeed believes in him even during his darkest times. God has a unique calling on our lives and it is through Overcoming Life’s 9/11’s we are able to become more like him.

Two thousand years before the birth of Jesus Christ there lived an ordinary man who, despite challenges that face him, continues to believe in God. Despite ravenous trials, which arrive in quick succession, Job never deters in his faith choosing to believe God would ultimately redeem him. Living in the land of Uz near the desert land between Damascus and the Euphrates River just northeast of Palestine, Job lives his life in pursuit of God while doing His work and bidding. Our lives need to be built on the rock of our faith in Jesus Christ, as it is our belief in Him, which will enable us to withstand life’s trials. Whether our trials are of our own doing or that of others we can discern how to see God’s hand in every event. Though we may not always know why bad things happen we can always find a triune God standing in the gap along with us. The Bible teaches we are to build our life on Him who was the cornerstone and became the capstone and it is in our reliance on Him alone we are able to pass life’s tests.

Come alongside as we see how one man despite all odds and all those who would turn against him stays true to his faith. Job’s story is one of a man who loses it all, his family, his wealth, and the support of his wife and friends. Yet Job stays true to his faith and to a God who not only restores him, but also gives him much more than he originally lost. Learn how to lean into the pain by seeking God’s will to overcome all that comes your way. God does not promise that our life will be easy but he does say that with him our yoke will be light. Read along as one man, Job, stands, despite the heat of tribulations clinging to his faith when all those he thought he could count on desert him. This story will inspire and motivate you to grow in your relationship with God by leaning on him during life’s fiery trials.

Author John Dillard was nominated for the 2009 Georgia Author of the Year Award after publishing Overcoming Life’s 9/11’s and nominated again for the 2010 Georgia Author of the Year Award after publishing Low Country Calling.

“Dare to Attempt Something so Great for the Kingdom of God, that it is Doomed to Failure Lest God be in it!”

John Dillard, CPA of His CPA, PC (A Duluth CPA firm) 1940 Woods River Lane, Duluth, GA 30097 Phone 770-814-9304 http://www.hiscpa.com/ (All Rights Reserved) To retain John Dillard CPA (An Atlanta Christian Speaker/Author) for your business group or church congregation, you can contact him today at 770.814.9304. To discover John Dillard’s Published Books and their vision visit http://www.john-dillard.com/

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Grow/Community Groups at Sugarloaf United Methodist Church

John Dillard — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 00:53:15 +0000

Grow/Community Groups at Sugarloaf United Methodist Church

The second large initiative that I believe can help us all grow and mature more rapidly in our faith is Grow/Community Groups that our church are starting VERY soon. Stay tuned to the church for details as sign up will start on 9-5-10.

Grow/Community Groups will meet weekly & be limited to 12 people to each group and there will be many groups and times to pick and choose from. Tami and I will be leading one of them, and we will most likely meet on Monday evenings. For those seeking to exponentially grow your faith sign up early, as once groups reach their limits they are filled.

Hebrews 10:25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

This is an exciting time in the history of our church and a great way to continue to Serve and Grow in God and to become more like our Creator.

To read more about the groups as information becomes available you can visit Sugarloaf United Methodist Church’s website at http://www.sugarloaf.org/index.da

In the Matchless Name of Jesus Christ,

John Dillard, CPA of His CPA, PC, 1940 Woods River Lane, Duluth, GA 30097 Phone 770-814-9304 http://www.HisCPA.com/ http://www.John-Dillard.com/

Dare to Attempt Something so Great for the Kingdom of God that it is doomed to failure, lest Christ be in it!

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God Has You Exactly Where You Are For a Divine Purpose

John Dillard — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 13:37:19 +0000

God Has You Exactly Where You Are For a Divine Purpose

The below will move you to tears so ready yourself.

Dear Mission Team Members,

You all were so incredible on this mission trip and went above and beyond what was expected of you. Some of you overcame a lot just to be on the trip and some of you struggled both before the trip and while on the trip with issues that may or may not have been known to others. Some of you followed God’s calling and your heart and went on the trip even though there were things pulling at you not to go. Many of you went with the unknown staring you in the face. There was one person in particular who did all of the above and in the midst of it all…continued to fight that the trip was not about her – it was about God, us serving God and about the Navajo people and did not want any attention focused on her and wanted nothing to distract others on the trip from their mission. While that is incredibly noble, it was very hard for many of us not to share the pain that one team member and her family were dealing with, with the rest of the team – knowing the love, prayers and support she would feel if we were able to share the news with all of you. But, she wanted the news to remain confidential and we respected those wishes. John and I feel blessed to have been able to spend some time with them in the early moments of receiving much awaited news and being able to pray with them as they begin a journey that will change their lives forever. She asked me to try and put something together to send to the team but found the words hard to come by…however, this is the beautiful e-mail that I received from her this morning and I thought no more beautiful words could be spoken…

“I have tried and tried to think of a way to share my news to everyone and cannot come up with the right words to use. As I try to put thoughts down to share it seems so self indulgent. I am going to defer to your judgment as to how to share the news with those on the trip with us. I don’t know any more than I did when we were in PP, but I have started sharing with other friends and I know I can use all the prayers I can get! We come home on Sunday and will take this on right away. I have two appointments on Monday (one with a surgeon and one with an oncologist) then a second surgery opinion on Tuesday. We’ll have more answers next week. What I do know is this: from the start I didn’t really know EXACTLY why I felt so led to go on this mission trip. Yes, I have had a desire to go on a mission trip for a long time, but why THIS particular trip? Then, why was I at peace with my decision to come knowing what information was pending, and then once our worst fears came true, why was I at peace staying? It was on the last night around the pool that I realized why….. these amazing people that I had surrounded myself with for the week were strengthening me just be BEING! It was such a blessing to see how people live their lives in service to Christ and how open they are to listening to His will, how happy they are because they are filled with HIM. The examples I witnessed all week filled my soul with courage, strength, and faith. If I had been home when I got my devastating news, perhaps I would have curled up in my bed and cried for days. Instead, I have amazing new people in my life, many of whom without even knowing what was going on with me, inspired me with their spirit and love. Does any of this make any sense at all? I so appreciate you and John and how concerned you were when I told you. I thank John for my book and for all of your kind and encouraging words. I am glad to know you and call you both my friend. I will keep you posted as we know more. love, me”

Our Mission Team Member had a biopsy days before leaving on the mission trip and our first Monday there, found out that the results were positive for breast cancer. She and her family need our prayers, our love, our encouragement, our support and I am so thrilled that they now have a new family of 82 that will love on them and care for them even during the darkest moments. My biggest concern is that we don’t overwhelm them with it (isn’t that a great concern to have?). She and the family have not returned home yet and will have a time of adjustment as they get ready to fight this battle. Please give them a little time to process once they return home and as I get more information, I will pass it along to the team members and in the meantime, please surround them with the protection of your prayers!!!

Love you all and thank you for your prayers and for embracing the their family in your love!

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