Points To Ponder 08/31/2005

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“The only really happy people are those who have learned how to serve.” - Albert Schweitzer

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BIBLE QUIZ:

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(New Testament/Book of Acts) And we sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread, and came unto them to Troas in five days; where we abode seven days. And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight. And there were many lights in the upper chamber, where they were gathered together. And there sat in a window a certain young man named ___________, being fallen into a deep sleep: and as Paul was long preaching, he sunk down with sleep, and fell down from the third floor, and was taken up dead.

What was the name of the young man who fell asleep during Paul’s preaching and fell from the third story window and was picked up dead? What became of the young man?

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

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Sunflower at Shawnee Mission Park, Kansas.
 

Points To Ponder 08/30/2005

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“There is no growth without change, no change without fear or loss, and no loss without pain.” - Rick Warren

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BIBLE QUIZ:

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(New Testament/Book of Acts) And having sent into Macedonia two of those who ministered to him, Timothy and Erastus, Paul stayed in Asia for a while. And about that time there arose no small disturbance concerning the Way. For a certain man named Demetrius…………..

What did Demetrius do or say that caused such a great disturbance?

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For the answer to the quiz from yesterday see Acts 19:11ff.

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Flower at Shawnee Mission Park, Kansas.
 

Points To Ponder 08/29/2005

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"Without implementation, all of our Bible studies are worthless.” - Rick Warren

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BIBLE QUIZ:

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(New Testament/Book of Acts) After the incident of the man with the evil spirit who jumped on the Seven sons of Sceva, overpowering them all and giving them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding………..It became known to the Jews and Greeks living in Ephesus, and they were all seized with fear, and the name of the Lord Jesus was held in high honor. Many of those who believed now came and openly confessed their evil deeds. A number who had practiced sorcery brought their scrolls together and burned them publicly. When they calculated the value of the scrolls, the total came to ____________________.

What was the value of the scrolls that they burned? [The basic Greek coin was the drachma, roughly equivalent to a Roman denarius, or one day's wages.]

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For the answer to the quiz from yesterday see Acts 19:11ff.

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Flower and Monarch(?) butterfly at the Legler Barn Museum in Lenexa, Kansas.
 

Points To Ponder 08/28/2005

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"We have grown in numbers, wealth, and power, as no other nation has ever grown. But we have forgotten God.” - Abraham Lincoln - 1863

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BIBLE QUIZ:

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(New Testament/Book of Acts) God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them. Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, "In the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out." Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. One day the evil spirit answered them, …………….

What did the evil spirit say to the “Seven sons of Sceva” and what happened to them?

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For the answer to the quiz from yesterday see Acts 18:9ff.

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Flower at the Legler Barn Museum in Lenexa, Kansas.
 

Points To Ponder 08/27/2005

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"He who thinks that he has finished is finished. Those who think they have arrived have lost their way.” - Henry Nouwen

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BIBLE QUIZ:

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(New Testament/Book of Acts) While Paul was at Corinth the spoke the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, "Do not be afraid any longer but go on speaking and do not be silent; for I am with you, and no man will attack you in order to harm you, for I have many people in this city.” So Paul continued there a ______ and _____ months, teaching the word of God among them.

How long did Paul stay in Corinth on this visit?

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For the answer to the quiz from yesterday see Acts 18:1ff.

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Flower at Shawnee Mission Park, Kansas.
 

Points To Ponder 08/26/2005

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“If worship is mindless, it is meaningless.” - Rick Warren

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BIBLE QUIZ:

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(New Testament/Book of Acts) After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth; And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them. And because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them, and they worked together: for by their occupation they were _____________. And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks.

What was the “trade” of Paul, Aquila, and Priscilla?

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For the answer to the quiz from yesterday see Acts 17:23.

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Flowers and a butterfly at the Legler Barn Museum in Lenexa, Kansas.
 

Points To Ponder 08/25/2005

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"A little thing is a little thing, but faithfulness in a little thing is a big thing.” - Hudson Taylor

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BIBLE QUIZ:

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(New Testament/Book of Acts) All the Athenians and strangers which were there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing. Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, you men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are too superstitious. For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, ____ ______ __________________ __________. What therefore you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you.

What was the inscription Paul found on an altar in Athens?

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For the answer to the quiz from yesterday see Acts 17:10.

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Flower at the Legler Barn Museum in Lenexa, Kansas.
 

Points To Ponder 08/24/2005

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“The future is as bright as the promises of God.” - William Carey

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BIBLE QUIZ:

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(New Testament/Book of Acts) And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming there went into the synagogue of the Jews. The Bereans were more noble in character than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and . . . . . . .

What else did the Bereans do that showed their “noble character”?

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For the answer to the quiz from yesterday see Acts 16:27-40.

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Petunia�s at Shawnee Mission Park.
 

Points To Ponder 08/23/2005

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“The more we let God take us over, the more truly ourselves we become - because He made us. He invented all the different people that you and I were intended to be . . It is when I turn to Christ, when I give up myself to His personality, that I first begin to have a real personality of my own.” - C. S. Lewis

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BIBLE QUIZ:

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(New Testament/Book of Acts) And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled. But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here.

Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, And brought them out, and asked a question………….

1. What was the question of the Philippian jailer?
2. How did Paul and Silas answer the question?
3. What did the jailer and his family do that same night?

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For the answer to the quiz from yesterday see Acts 16:16-19.

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Sunflower at Shawnee Mission Park, Kansas.
 

Points To Ponder 08/22/2005

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“Beware of anything that competes with loyalty to Jesus Christ” - Oswald Chambers

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BIBLE QUIZ:

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(New Testament/Book of Acts) And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed. And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and ………………….

What did the jailer NOT do after he drew his sword?

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For the answer to the quiz from yesterday see Acts 16:16-19.

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Flowers at Shawnee Mission Park. For the next week or so we will be going back to some local flower pictures that I just shot at a park near us. I don�t know the names of many of these, so if you know please drop me a line so I can identify them for future reference.
 

Points To Ponder 08/21/2005

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“Your habits define your character.” - Rick Warren

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BIBLE QUIZ:

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(New Testament/Book of Acts) Then Paul turned to the slave-girl who was possessed with a spirit of divination and said to the spirit, I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And the spirit came out the same hour. However, when the masters of the slave girl saw that their hope of profit was gone…………………………..they turned Paul and Silas over to the magistrates and when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely: Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks. And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. And suddenly there was a great _______________.

What happened after Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God?

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For the answer to the quiz from yesterday see Acts 16:16-19.

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Wildflowers at the Santiago Mill.
 

Points To Ponder 08/20/2005

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“There are no shortcuts to maturity.” - Rick Warren

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BIBLE QUIZ:

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(New Testament/Book of Acts) Then Paul turned to the slave-girl who was possessed with a spirit of divination and said to the spirit, I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And the spirit came out the same hour.

However, not everyone was excited that the slave-girl had been set free from her bondage. What happened to Paul and Silas as a result of this incident and why?

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For the answer to the quiz from yesterday see Acts 16:16.

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Ore bin at the Santiago Mine.
 

Points To Ponder 08/19/2005

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Fear makes the bear bigger than he is.

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BIBLE QUIZ:

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(New Testament/Book of Acts) And it came to pass, as we [Paul and Silas] went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of _____________ met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying: The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which show unto us the way of salvation. And this she did many days.

What did Paul finally do in regards to damsel possessed with a spirit of ___________?

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For the answer to the quiz from yesterday see Acts 15:36ff.

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Mine building and tracks at the Santiago Mine. The top of the Santiago Gold Mill can be seen in the distance.
 

Points To Ponder 08/18/2005

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"God wants you to love real people, not ideal people. You can spend a lifetime searching for the perfect church, but you will never find it. You are called to love imperfect sinners, just like God does.” - Rick Warren

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BIBLE QUIZ:

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(New Testament/Book of Acts) So Paul and Silas came down to Troas. And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us……………. And from there we went to Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony: and we were in that city abiding certain days. And on the Sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was to be made; and we sat down and began speaking to the women who had assembled there. And a certain woman named ____________, a seller of ___________, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul. And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, if you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she prevailed upon us.

(Fill in the blank above) What was the woman’s name and what did she sell?

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For the answer to the quiz from yesterday see Acts 15:35ff.

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Wooden water tank at the Santiago Gold Mill (located near the ghost town of Waldorf, Colorado). As you can tell the Santiago Mine and Mill are located above timberline.
 

Points To Ponder 08/17/2005

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“If you don't have a vision for the future, then your future is threatened to be a repeat of the past.” - A. R. Bernard

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BIBLE QUIZ:

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(New Testament/Book of Acts) Paul and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also. And some days later Paul and Barnabas had such a sharp disagreement that they separated from one another………………What was the cause of the disagreement between Paul and Barnabas?

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For the answer to the quiz from yesterday see Acts 15:1ff.

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The Santiago Gold Mill (located near the ghost town of Waldorf, Colorado).
 

Points To Ponder 08/16/2005

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“God is never in a hurry, but He is always on time.” - Rick Warren

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BIBLE QUIZ:

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(New Testament/Book of Acts) At Antioch certain men which came down from Judea taught the brethren , and said, Except you be _________________ you cannot be saved. And when Paul and Barnabas had great dissension and debate with them, {the brethren} determined that Paul and Barnabas and certain others of them should go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders concerning this question.

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For the answer to the quiz from yesterday see Acts 14:9ff.

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The Santiago Gold Mill (located near the ghost town of Waldorf, Colorado).
 

Points To Ponder 08/15/2005

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“It's what you learn after you know it all that counts” - John Wooden

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BIBLE QUIZ:

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(New Testament/Book of Acts - After the incident of the healing of the man at Lystra and the people calling Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercury……….Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people. Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they tore their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out, And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein: Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways. Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness. And with these sayings they scarcely restrained the people, that they had not done sacrifice unto them. But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people………….to do what? Were they successful? Where did Paul and Barnabas go the next day?

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For the answer to the quiz from yesterday see Acts 14:1ff.

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A view from our recent trip to the old Santiago Gold Mill (located near the ghost town of Waldorf, Colorado).
 

Points To Ponder 08/14/2005

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“The best use of time is to spend it for something that outlasts it.” - William James

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BIBLE QUIZ:

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(New Testament/Book of Acts) And it came to pass in Iconium, that they [Paul and Barnabas] went both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spoke, that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed. But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren. Therefore they stayed a long time speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands……………And when there was an assault made both of the Gentiles, and also of the Jews with their rulers, to use them despitefully, and to stone them, They were ware of it, and fled unto Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and unto the surrounding region: And there they preached the gospel. And there sat a certain man at Lystra…………………

What was the deal with the “certain man” at Lystra? What happened to him? What names did the people of Lystra give to Barnabas and Paul?

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For the answer to the quiz from yesterday see Acts 13:6ff.

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Points To Ponder 08/13/2005

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“The reason why many are still troubled, still seeking, still making little forward progress is because they haven’t yet come to the end of themselves. We’re still trying to give orders, and interfering with God’s work within us.” - A. W. Tozer

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BIBLE QUIZ:

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(New Testament/Book of Acts) And when Barnabas and Saul had gone through the island unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Bar-jesus: Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God. But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith. Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Spirit, fixed his gaze upon him, And said, "You who are full of all deceit and fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease to make crooked the straight ways of the Lord? And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and …………………….

What happened to Elymas the sorcerer when the hand of the Lord came upon him?

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For the answer to the quiz from yesterday see Acts 12:16ff.

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A bristle cone pine tree en route to the Santiago Mill (near the ghost town of Waldorf, Colorado). We have been told that some of these trees are over 600 years old.
 

A beaver pond on our way out from the ghost town of Geneva City, Colorado.

Points To Ponder 08/12/2005

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“Your heavenly Father’s goal is for you to mature and develop the characteristics of Jesus Christ. Sadly millions of Christians grow older but never grow up. - Rick Warren

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BIBLE QUIZ:

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(New Testament/Book of Acts) But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished. But he, beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace, declared unto them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, Go show these things unto James, and to the brethren. And he departed, and went into another place. Now as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers, what was become of Peter. And when Herod had sought for him, and found him not, he examined the keepers, and commanded that they should be put to death. And he went down from Judaea to Caesarea, and there abode.

And Herod was highly displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon: but they came with one accord to him, and, having made Blastus the king's chamberlain their friend, desired peace; because their country was nourished by the king's country. And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them. And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man…………

What was the cause of Herod’s death? What did he die from?

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For the answer to the quiz from yesterday see Acts 12:10ff.

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Our last waterfall picture from the area around the ghost town of Geneva City, Colorado.
 

Points To Ponder 08/11/2005

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“If my life is fruitless, it doesn’t matter who praises me, and if my life is fruitful, it doesn’t matter who criticizes me.” - John Bunyan

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BIBLE QUIZ:

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(New Testament/Book of Acts) What strange thing did Rhoda do when Peter knocked at the gate?

When they [Peter and the angel] were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leads into the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him. And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews. And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying. And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a servant-girl named Rhoda came to answer……………………

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For the answer to the quiz from yesterday see Acts 12:7ff.

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Continental Divide at the ghost town of Geneva City, Colorado.
 

Points To Ponder 08/10/2005

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"Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it is thinking of yourself less.” - Rick Warren

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BIBLE QUIZ:

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(New Testament/Book of Acts) What happened when the angel and Peter came to the iron gate that leads into the city?

And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands. And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he said to him, put your garment on, and follow me. And he went out and continued to follow, and he did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. When they were past the first and the second ward, they came to the iron gate that leads into the city……………….

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For the answer to the quiz from yesterday see Acts 12:3ff.

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Small stream at the ghost town of Geneva City, Colorado.
 

Points To Ponder 08/09/2005

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"Christians, like snowflakes, are frail, but when they stick together they can stop traffic.” - Vance Havner

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BIBLE QUIZ:

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(New Testament/Book of Acts) And because he [Herod] saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.) And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four squads of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people. Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him. And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison.

Who came to Peter while he was in prison and struck him on the side and told him to quickly get up? (Pick one)

1) Barnabas

2) The angel of the Lord

3) John Mark

4) Michael the Archangel

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For the answer to the quiz from yesterday see Acts 12:1ff.

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Waterfall at the Iron Placer Mine below the ghost town of Geneva City, Colorado.
 

Points To Ponder 08/08/2005

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Many who claim that they believe the Bible “from cover to cover” have never read it from cover to cover. - Rick Warren

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BIBLE QUIZ:

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(New Testament/Book of Acts) Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. And he killed __________ the brother of __________ with the sword. And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take _______ also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.)

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For the answer to the quiz from yesterday see Acts 10:44-46.

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More falling water en route to the ghost town of Geneva City, Colorado.
 

Points To Ponder 08/07/2005

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"The Bible was not given to increase our knowledge but to change our lives.” - D.L. Moody

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BIBLE QUIZ:

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(New Testament/Book of Acts)

What “fell” on Cornelius and his friends and family after the arrival of Peter?

While Peter yet spoke these words, the _________ _________ fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the _________ ___________. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God.

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For the answer to the quiz from yesterday see Acts 10:1-16.

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Here is a picture of the last truck that tried to make it to the ghost town of Geneva City, Colorado :o)