Telephoto shot of a rainbow in Colorado... 

Points To Ponder 04/30/2005

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“When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die.” - Dietrich Bonhoeffer

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BIBLE QUIZ:

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Old Testament - Thus did Moses: according to all that the LORD commanded him, so did he. And it came to pass in the first month in the __________ year, on the first day of the month, that the tabernacle was erected.

In what year (since their departure from Egypt) was the tabernacle erected?

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For the answer to the quiz from yesterday see Exodus 36:1ff.

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Picture of clouds that I took looking down from a jet airliner... 

Another interesting cloud formation taken right after a thunderstorm...

Points To Ponder 04/29/2005

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"If God only used perfect people, nothing would ever get done”

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BIBLE QUIZ:

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Old Testament - And Moses called Bezaleel and Aholiab, and every wise hearted man, in whose heart the LORD had put wisdom, even every one whose heart stirred him up to come unto the work to do it: And they received of Moses all the offering, which the children of Israel had brought for the work of the service of the sanctuary. And they brought to him freewill offerings every morning. And all the wise men, that wrought all the work of the sanctuary, came every man from his work which they made…………………

What did Moses finally have to tell the children of Israel to do in regards to the offerings they were bringing?

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For the answer to the quiz from yesterday see Exodus 35:30-34.

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Points To Ponder 04/28/2005

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"Preach the gospel constantly and, if necessary, use words.” - Francis of Assisi

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BIBLE QUIZ:

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Old Testament - And all the congregation of the children of Israel departed from the presence of Moses. And they came, every one whose heart stirred him up, and every one whom his spirit made willing, and they brought the LORD's offering to the work of the tabernacle of the congregation, and for all his service, and for the holy garments. And they came, both men and women, as many as were willing hearted, and brought bracelets, and earrings, and rings, and tablets, all jewels of gold: and every man that offered gave an offering of gold unto the LORD. And every man, with whom was found blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen, and goats' hair, and red skins of rams, and badgers' skins, brought them. Every one that did offer an offering of silver and brass brought the LORD's offering: and every man, with whom was found acacia wood for any work of the service, brought it. And all the women that were wise hearted did spin with their hands, and brought that which they had spun, both of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, and of fine linen. And all the women whose heart stirred them up in wisdom spun goats' hair. And the rulers brought onyx stones, and stones to be set, for the ephod, and for the breastplate; And spice, and oil for the light, and for the anointing oil, and for the sweet incense. The children of Israel brought a willing offering unto the LORD, every man and woman, whose heart made them willing to bring for all manner of work, which the LORD had commanded to be made by the hand of Moses. And Moses said unto the children of Israel, See, the LORD hath called by name __________ the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah; And he hath filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship; And to devise curious works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass, And in the cutting of stones, to set them, and in carving of wood, to make any manner of cunning work. And he hath put in his heart that he may teach, both he, and ____________, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan.`

Who were the two men that God specifically called to be “primary” craftsmen for the articles for the tabernacle? Where did the people get all the items they donated for the building of the tabernacle?

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For the answer to the quiz from yesterday see Exodus 34:29.

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Kansas is known for severe thunderstorms and tornados. Here is a shot I took a few weeks ago of an interesting cloud formation right after a thunderstorm.

Points To Ponder 04/27/2005

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“You’ll never know that God is all you need until God is all you’ve got.”

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BIBLE QUIZ:

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Old Testament - Now the LORD said unto Moses, "Cut out for yourself two stone tablets like the former ones, and I will write on the tablets the words that were on the former tablets which you shattered. "So be ready by morning, and come up in the morning to Mount Sinai, and present yourself there to Me on the top of the mountain…………..So Moses cut out two stone tablets like the former ones, and rose up early in the morning and went up to Mount Sinai, as the LORD had commanded him, and he took two stone tablets in his hand…………….. So he was there with the LORD ________ days and ______ nights; he did not eat bread or drink water. And he wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant, the Ten Commandments. And it came about when Moses was coming down from Mount Sinai (and the two tablets of the testimony {were} in Moses' hand as he was coming down from the mountain), that Moses did not know that the _____ __ ___ ______ shone because of his speaking with Him.

How long was Moses on the mountain? What did Moses not know?

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For the answer to the quiz from yesterday see Exodus 33:7-11.

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Here is an oil painting I did of some buildings at the old mining town of Silver Plume, Colorado... 

Points To Ponder 04/26/2005

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“What matters is not the duration of your life, but the donation of it. Not how long you lived, but how you lived.” - Rick Warren

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BIBLE QUIZ:

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Old Testament – And Moses took the tabernacle, and pitched it without the camp, afar off from the camp, and called it the Tabernacle of the congregation. And it came to pass, that every one which sought the LORD went out to the tabernacle of the congregation, which was outside the camp. And it came to pass, when Moses went out unto the tabernacle, that all the people rose up, and stood every man at his tent door, and looked after Moses, until he was gone into the tabernacle. And it came to pass, as Moses entered into the tabernacle, the _______ _________ descended, and stood at the door of the tabernacle, and the LORD talked with Moses. And all the people saw the ________ _________ stand at the tabernacle door: and all the people rose up and worshipped, every man in his tent door. And the LORD spoke unto Moses face to face, as a man speaks unto his friend. And he turned again into the camp: but his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, departed not out of the tabernacle.

What descended upon the tabernacle when Moses went in?

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For the answer to the quiz from yesterday see Exodus 32:25-28.

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Springtime in Kansas...More wildflowers... 

Points To Ponder 04/25/2005

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Stress is when your mouth says "yes" and your gut says "no."

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BIBLE QUIZ:

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Old Testament – Moses saw that the people were running wild and that Aaron had let them get out of control and become a laughingstock to their enemies. So Moses stood at the entrance to the camp and said, "Whoever is for the LORD, come over to me." And all the Levites rallied to him. Then he said to them, "This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: 'Each man strap a sword to his side. Go back and forth through the camp from one end to the other, each killing his brother and friend and neighbor.'" The Levites did as Moses commanded, and that day about __________ people died.

How many people died in this incident?

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For the answer to the quiz from yesterday see Exodus 32:1ff.

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Springtime in Kansas...Wildflowers 

Points To Ponder 04/24/2005

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Are you smart enough to know what you do not know?

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BIBLE QUIZ:

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Old Testament - And it came about, as soon as Moses came near the camp, he saw the calf and the dancing; and Moses' anger burned, and he threw the tablets of the Testimony from his hands and shattered them at the foot of the mountain. And he took the calf which they had made and……………………………….

What did Moses do with the golden calf?

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For the answer to the quiz from yesterday see Exodus 32:1ff.

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Springtime in Kansas...more Red Bud... 

Points To Ponder 04/23/2005

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“Gods timing is rarely our timing.” - Os Guinness

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BIBLE QUIZ:

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Old Testament - And Moses turned, and went down the mountain, and the two tablets of the Testimony were in his hand: the tablets were written on both their sides; on the one side and on the other were they written. And the tablets were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God, inscribed upon the tablets.

What happened to the “original” set of the tablets of the Testimony (Ten Commandments)?

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For the answer to the quiz from yesterday see Exodus 32:1ff.

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More Kansas springtime...Tulips.... 

Points To Ponder 04/22/2005

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“It is always easier to stand on the sidelines and take shots at those who are serving than it is to get involved and make a contribution.” - Rick Warren

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BIBLE QUIZ: Fill in the blanks…..

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Old Testament – And when the people saw that Moses delayed in coming down from the mountain, the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and said unto him, “Come make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we don’t know what is become of him.” And Aaron said unto them, Break off the golden earrings, which are in the ears of your wives, of your sons, and of your daughters, and bring them unto me. And all the people took off the golden earrings which were in their ears, and brought them unto Aaron. And he received them at their hand, and fashioned it with a graving tool, and cast in the shape of ______: and they said, “These are your gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.” And when Aaron saw it, he built an altar before it; and Aaron made proclamation, and said, Tomorrow is a feast to the LORD. And they rose up early the next day, and offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to play.

What was the idol that Aaron made from the gold earrings of the people?

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For the answer to the quiz from yesterday see Exodus 28:36ff.

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Rainbow Point at Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah. On most days you can see 90 miles away into Arizona. The road ends at Rainbow Point... 

Points To Ponder 04/21/2005

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“What we do when no one sees but God, is the test of our true responsibility.” - Os Guinness

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BIBLE QUIZ: Fill in the blanks…..

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(Old Testament) - "You shall also make a plate of pure gold and shall engrave on it, like the engravings of a seal, ‘_____ __ ___ _____.' "And you shall fasten it on a blue cord, and it shall be on the turban; it shall be at the front of the turban. It shall be on Aaron's forehead, and Aaron shall take away the iniquity of the holy things which the sons of Israel consecrate, with regard to all their holy gifts; and it shall always be on his forehead, that they may be accepted before the LORD.”

What was the wording that was to be engraved into the pure gold plate?

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For the answer to the quiz from yesterday see Exodus 28:31ff.

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Another view from Agua Point in Bryce Canyon National Park... 

Points To Ponder 04/20/2005

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Today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday.

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BIBLE QUIZ: Fill in the blanks…..

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(Old Testament) - “The robe of the ephod”

"And you shall make the robe of the ephod all of ______. "And there shall be an opening at its top in the middle of it; around its opening there shall be a binding of woven work, as {it were} the opening of a coat of mail, that it may not be torn. "And you shall make on its hem _________________ of blue and purple and scarlet {material,} all around on its hem, and bells of gold between them all around: a golden bell and a _____________, a golden bell and a _________________, all around on the hem of the robe. "And it shall be on Aaron when he ministers; and its tinkling may be heard when he enters and leaves the holy place before the LORD, that he may not die.

What color was the ephod and what was on the hem between the golden bells?

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For the answer to the quiz from yesterday see Exodus 28:17ff.

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"Black Birch Point" in Bryce Canyon National Park...

Points To Ponder 04/19/2005

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We are expected to live our lives above reproach but expect it anyway. - Beth Moore

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BIBLE QUIZ:

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(Old Testament) - “The breast plate of judgement”

And you shall make the breastplate of judgment [decisions] with cunning work; after the work of the ephod you shall make it; of gold, of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, and of fine twined linen, you shall make it. Foursquare it shall be being doubled; a span shall be the length thereof, and a span shall be the breadth thereof. And you shall set in it settings of stones, even four rows of stones:

â Then mount four rows of precious stones on it. In the first row there shall be a ________, a topaz and a beryl;

â in the second row a turquoise, a __________ and an emerald;

â in the third row a jacinth, an _________ and an amethyst;

â in the fourth row a ___________, an onyx and a jasper. Mount them in gold filigree settings.

And the stones shall be with the names of the children of Israel, twelve, according to their names, like the engravings of a signet; every one with his name shall they be according to the twelve tribes.

Fill in the missing stones.

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For the answer to the quiz from yesterday see Exodus 28:1ff.

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"Natural Bridge" at Bryce Canyon National Park... 

Points To Ponder 04/18/2005

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It is easier to go down hill than up, but the view is best from the top.

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BIBLE QUIZ:

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(Old Testament) – “Garments for Aaron so he may serve as priest”

Tell all the skilled men to whom I have given wisdom in such matters that they are to make garments for Aaron, for his consecration, so he may serve me as priest. These are the garments they are to make: a ______________, an __________, a __________, a woven tunic, a ___________ and a _______. They are to make these sacred garments for your brother Aaron and his sons, so they may serve me as priests.

What are the garments that the skilled men were to make for Aaron, the priest?

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For the answer to the quiz from yesterday see Exodus 25:18ff.

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At Agua Canyon in Bryce Canyon National Park... 

Points To Ponder 04/17/2005

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A blind man who sees is better than a seeing man who is blind.

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BIBLE QUIZ:

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(Old Testament) “Ark of the Covenant”

And you shall make a mercy seat of pure gold: two cubits and a half shall be the length thereof, and a cubit and a half the breadth thereof. And you shall make two cherubims of gold, of beaten work you shall make them, in the two ends of the mercy seat. And make one cherub on the one end, and the other cherub on the other end: even of the mercy seat you shall make the cherubims on the two ends thereof. And the cherubims shall stretch forth their wings on high……………

What did the wings of the cherubims cover? What directions were the cherubims facing?

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For the answer to the quiz from yesterday see Exodus 25:17ff.

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"Hotel View" at the ghost town of Ashcroft Colorado. Oil panting by Ron Morse.... 

Points To Ponder 04/16/2005

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Even the best horse cannot wear two saddles.

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BIBLE QUIZ:

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(Old Testament – Exodus) - And you shall make a mercy seat of pure gold: two cubits and a half shall be the length thereof, and a cubit and a half the breadth thereof. And you shall make two __________ of gold, of beaten work you shall make them, in the two ends of the mercy seat.

What was placed at each end of the mercy seat.

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For the answer to the quiz from yesterday see Exodus 25:10ff.

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Springtime in Kansas...Apple blossoms... 

Points To Ponder 04/15/2005

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“I wonder how far Moses would have gone if he had taken a poll in Egypt?” - Harry Truman

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BIBLE QUIZ:

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(Old Testament – Exodus)

And they shall make an ark of acacia wood: two cubits and a half shall be the length thereof, and a cubit and a half the breadth thereof, and a cubit and a half the height thereof. And you shall overlay it with pure gold, within and without shall you overlay it, and shall make upon it a crown of gold round about. And thou shall cast four rings of gold for it, and put them in the four corners thereof; and two rings shall be in the one side of it, and two rings in the other side of it. And thou shall make staves of acacia wood, and overlay them with gold. And thou shall put the staves into the rings by the sides of the ark, that the ark may be carried with them. The staves shall be in the rings of the ark: they shall not be taken from it. And you shall put into the ark the testimony which I shall give you.

What was the size of the “ark of the covenant” in our measurements?

Clue = A Cubit is the distance from the elbow to the finger tip-- about 18 inches.

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For the answer to the quiz from yesterday see Exodus 25:1ff.

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Sprintime in Kansas...Phlox in our front yard... 

Points To Ponder 04/14/2005

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“You can make more money, but you cannot make more time.” - Rick Warren

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BIBLE QUIZ:

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(Old Testament – While Moses was on the mountain 40 days and 40 nights. The LORD said to Moses, "Tell the Israelites to bring me an offering. You are to receive the offering for me from each man whose heart prompts him to give. These are the offerings you are to receive from them: gold, silver and bronze; blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen; goat hair; ram skins dyed red and hides of sea cows; acacia wood; olive oil; spices and fragrant incense; and onyx stones and other gems.

What was to be built from all the above items?

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For the answer to the quiz from yesterday see Exodus 24:1ff.

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More Springtime in Kansas....Red Bud trees at a park about one block from our house... 

Points To Ponder 04/13/2005

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Mistakes are the usual bridge between inexperience and wisdom.

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BIBLE QUIZ:

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BIBLE QUIZ: (Old Testament – Exodus 24) (Fill in the blanks)

Then Moses went up with Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel, and they saw the God of Israel; and under His feet there appeared to be a pavement of ___________, as clear as the sky itself. Yet He did not stretch out His hand against the nobles of the sons of Israel; and they beheld God, and they ate and drank. Now the LORD said to Moses, "Come up to Me on the mountain and remain there, and I will give you the stone tablets with the law and the commandment which I have written for their instruction." So Moses arose with Joshua his servant, and Moses went up to the mountain of God. But to the elders he said, "Wait here for us until we return to you. And behold, Aaron and Hur are with you; whoever has a legal matter, let him approach them." Then Moses went up to the mountain, and the cloud covered the mountain. And the glory of the LORD rested on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it for six days; and on the seventh day He called to Moses from the midst of the cloud. And to the eyes of the sons of Israel the appearance of the glory of the LORD was like a consuming fire on the mountain top. And Moses entered the midst of the cloud as he went up to the mountain; and Moses was on the mountain ______ days and ______ nights.

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For the answer to the quiz from yesterday see Matthew 22:36-40.

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Springtime in Kansas...another flowering tree that I don't know the name of......??? 

Points To Ponder 04/12/2005

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People and rubber bands have one thing in common: they must be stretched to be effective. - John Maxwell

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BIBLE QUIZ:

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(Old Testament) - The 10 commandments. (For all the details relating to the 10 commandments see Exodus 20:1-17)

1. You shall have no other gods before Me.

2. You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth."

3. You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain.

4. Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.

5. Honor your father and your mother.

6. You shall not murder.

7. You shall not commit adultery.

8. You shall not steal.

9. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

10. You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife or his male servant or his female servant or his ox or his donkey or anything that belongs to your neighbor.

How did Jesus “Sum up” the 10 commandments? See Matthew 22:36-40.

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For the answer to the quiz from yesterday see Exodus 20:1ff.

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Springtime in Kansas...Crab Apple tree...I think??? 

Points To Ponder 04/11/2005

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"You can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving.” - Rick Warren

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BIBLE QUIZ:

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(Old Testament - Moses) - The Ten Commandments - The last six of the ten commandments, relate our duty to ourselves and to one another. Fill in the seventh and tenth commandments.

1. You shall have no other gods before Me.

2. You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth."

3. You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain

4. Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.

5. Honor your father and your mother

6. You shall not murder.

7.

8. You shall not steal.

9. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

10.

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For the answer to the quiz from yesterday see Exodus 20:1ff.

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Blossoms on Bradford Pear tree... 

Points To Ponder 04/10/2005

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Don't get discouraged...it is often the last key in the bunch that opens the lock.

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BIBLE QUIZ:

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(Old Testament - Moses) - The Ten Commandments

Then God spoke all these words, saying, "I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery……Then we have the ten commandments. The first four commandments concern our duty to God. Fill in the second and fourth commandments.

1. "You shall have no other gods before Me."

2.

3. "You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain."

4.

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For the answer to the quiz from yesterday see Exodus 19:10ff.

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Bradford Pear tree in Kansas... 

Points To Ponder 04/09/2005

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The hiding places of men are discovered by affliction.

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BIBLE QUIZ:

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BIBLE QUIZ: (Old Testament - Moses)

And the LORD said unto Moses, Go unto the people, and sanctify them to day and to morrow, and let them wash their clothes, And be ready on the third day: for on the third day the LORD will come down in the sight of all the people upon mount Sinai.

What were the guidelines for both man and beast regarding their approach to the border of the mountain on the third day? What was to happen to those that disobeyed the guideline?

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For the answer to the quiz from yesterday see Exodus 19:1ff.

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Springtime in Kansas...Red Bud Tree....

Points To Ponder 04/08/2005

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“The recipe for a good speech includes some shortening” - Gene Yasenak

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BIBLE QUIZ:

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BIBLE QUIZ: (Old Testament - Moses)

In the third month, when the children of Israel were gone forth out of the land of Egypt, the same day came they into the wilderness of Sinai. For they were departed from Rephidim, and were come to the desert of Sinai, and had pitched in the wilderness; and there Israel camped before the mountain. And Moses went up unto God, and the LORD called unto him out of the mountain,

What did God say to Moses when He called unto him out of the mountain? What was the “If” and “Then” of the covenant?

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For the answer to the quiz from yesterday see Exodus 18:13-27.

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