Points To Ponder 04/01/2006

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Tell me and I'll forget; show me and I may remember; involve me and I'll understand.
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BIBLE QUIZ:
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OLD TESTAMENT: Esther 8:3-8 (NIV)
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Esther again pleaded with the king, falling at his feet and weeping. She begged him to put an end to the evil plan of Haman the Agagite, which he had devised against the Jews. Then the king extended the gold scepter to Esther and she arose and stood before him. "If it pleases the king," she said, "and if he regards me with favor and thinks it the right thing to do, and if he is pleased with me, let an order be written overruling the dispatches that Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, devised and wrote to destroy the Jews in all the king's provinces. For how can I bear to see disaster fall on my people? How can I bear to see the destruction of my family?" King Xerxes replied to Queen Esther and to Mordecai the Jew, "Because Haman attacked the Jews, I have given his estate to Esther, and they have hanged him on the gallows. Now . . .
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QUESTION: Now what???
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Photo for 03/31/2006

Steam engine #4960 of the Grand Canyon Railway pulling into the station at Williams, Arizona . . .

Points To Ponder 03/31/2006

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Tell me and I'll forget; show me and I may remember; involve me and I'll understand.
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BIBLE QUIZ:
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OLD TESTAMENT: Esther 8:3-8 (NIV)
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Esther again pleaded with the king, falling at his feet and weeping. She begged him to put an end to the evil plan of Haman the Agagite, which he had devised against the Jews. Then the king extended the gold scepter to Esther and she arose and stood before him. "If it pleases the king," she said, "and if he regards me with favor and thinks it the right thing to do, and if he is pleased with me, let an order be written overruling the dispatches that Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, devised and wrote to destroy the Jews in all the king's provinces. For how can I bear to see disaster fall on my people? How can I bear to see the destruction of my family?" King Xerxes replied to Queen Esther and to Mordecai the Jew, "Because Haman attacked the Jews, I have given his estate to Esther, and they have hanged him on the gallows. Now  . . .
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QUESTION: Now what???
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Photo for 03/30/2006

Peeling paint on the door of a building at the old mining town of St. Elmo, Colorado . . .

Points To Ponder 03/30/2006

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Time may be a great healer, but it's a terrible makeup artist.
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BIBLE QUIZ:
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OLD TESTAMENT: Esther 7:6-10 (NIV)
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Esther said, "The adversary and enemy is this vile Haman." Then Haman was terrified before the king and queen. The king got up in a rage, left his wine and went out into the palace garden. But Haman, realizing that the king had already decided his fate, stayed behind to beg Queen Esther for his life. Just as the king returned from the palace garden to the banquet hall, Haman was falling on the couch where Esther was reclining. The king exclaimed, "Will he even molest the queen while she is with me in the house?" As soon as the word left the king's mouth, they covered Haman's face. Then Harbona, one of the eunuchs attending the king, said, "A gallows seventy-five feet high stands by Haman's house. He had it made for Mordecai, who spoke up to help the king." The king said, . . .
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QUESTION: What did the king say?
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Photo for 03/29/2006

The Red Bud trees are getting ready to pop….

Points To Ponder 03/29/2006

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When a habit begins to cost money it's called a hobby.
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BIBLE QUIZ:
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OLD TESTAMENT: Esther 7:1-6 (NIV)
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So the king and Haman went to dine with Queen Esther, and as they were drinking wine on that second day, the king again asked, "Queen Esther, what is your petition? It will be given you. What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be granted." Then Queen Esther answered, "If I have found favor with you, O king, and if it pleases your majesty, grant me my life-- this is my petition. And spare my people-- this is my request. For I and my people have been sold for destruction and slaughter and annihilation. If we had merely been sold as male and female slaves, I would have kept quiet, because no such distress would justify disturbing the king." King Xerxes asked Queen Esther, "Who is he? Where is the man who has dared to do such a thing?" Esther said, "The adversary and enemy is this vile Haman." Then Haman . . . . . .
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QUESTION: Then what did Haman do?
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Photo for 03/28/2006

A Dove in our backyard……..….

Points To Ponder 03/28/2006

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Life is uncertain-eat dessert first.
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BIBLE QUIZ:
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OLD TESTAMENT: Esther 6:10-14 (NIV)
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"Go at once," the king commanded Haman. "Get the robe and the horse and do just as you have suggested for Mordecai the Jew, who sits at the king's gate. Do not neglect anything you have recommended." So Haman got the robe and the horse. He robed Mordecai, and led him on horseback through the city streets, proclaiming before him, "This is what is done for the man the king delights to honor!" Afterward Mordecai returned to the king's gate. But Haman rushed home, with his head covered in grief, and told Zeresh his wife and all his friends everything that had happened to him. His advisers and his wife Zeresh said to him, "Since Mordecai, before whom your downfall has started, is of Jewish origin, you cannot stand against him-- you will surely come to ruin!" While they were still talking with him, the king's eunuchs arrived and . . . . . .
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Photo for 03/27/2006

A flowering bush near our house….

Points To Ponder 03/27/2006

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It isn't necessary to blow out another person's light in order to let your light shine.
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BIBLE QUIZ:
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OLD TESTAMENT: Esther 6:6-10 (NIV)
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When Haman entered, the king asked him, "What should be done for the man the king delights to honor?" Now Haman thought to himself, "Who is there that the king would rather honor than me?" So he answered the king, "For the man the king delights to honor, have them bring a royal robe the king has worn and a horse the king has ridden, one with a royal crest placed on its head. Then let the robe and horse be entrusted to one of the king's most noble princes. Let them robe the man the king delights to honor, and lead him on the horse through the city streets, proclaiming before him, 'This is what is done for the man the king delights to honor!'" "Go at once," the king commanded Haman. "Get the robe and the horse and do just as you have suggested for _____________ ___ ______, who sits at the king's gate. Do not neglect anything you have recommended."
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Photo for 03/26/2006

Sun breaking through the clouds after a late afternoon thunderstorm….

Points To Ponder 03/26/2006

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Life is a grindstone. Whether it polishes or grinds you down depends on what you're made of.
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BIBLE QUIZ:
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OLD TESTAMENT: Esther 5:14-6:6 (NIV)
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His wife Zeresh and all his friends said to him, "Have a gallows built, seventy-five feet high, and ask the king in the morning to have Mordecai hanged on it. Then go with the king to the dinner and be happy." This suggestion delighted Haman, and he had the gallows built.

CHAPTER 6

That night the king could not sleep; so he ordered the book of the chronicles, the record of his reign, to be brought in and read to him. It was found recorded there that Mordecai had exposed Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king's officers who guarded the doorway, who had conspired to assassinate King Xerxes. "What honor and recognition has Mordecai received for this?" the king asked. "Nothing has been done for him," his attendants answered. The king said, "Who is in the court?" Now Haman had just entered the outer court of the palace to speak to the king about hanging Mordecai on the gallows he had erected for him. His attendants answered, "Haman is standing in the court." "Bring him in," the king ordered. When Haman entered, the king asked him, "What should be done for the man the king delights to honor?" Now Haman thought to himself . . . . .

QUESTION: What was Hamen thinking to himself?
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Photo for 03/25/2006

Wildflowers at Yankee Boy Basin (near Ouray, Colorado)…

Points To Ponder 03/25/2006

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Wrinkles are hereditary. Parents get them from their children.
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BIBLE QUIZ:
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OLD TESTAMENT: Esther 5:7-14 (NIV)
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Esther replied, "My petition and my request is this: If the king regards me with favor and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and fulfill my request, let the king and Haman come tomorrow to the banquet I will prepare for them. Then I will answer the king's question." Haman went out that day happy and in high spirits. But when he saw Mordecai at the king's gate and observed that he neither rose nor showed fear in his presence, he was filled with rage against Mordecai. Nevertheless, Haman restrained himself and went home. Calling together his friends and Zeresh, his wife, Haman boasted to them about his vast wealth, his many sons, and all the ways the king had honored him and how he had elevated him above the other nobles and officials. "And that's not all," Haman added. "I'm the only person Queen Esther invited to accompany the king to the banquet she gave. And she has invited me along with the king tomorrow. But all this gives me no satisfaction as long as I see that Jew Mordecai sitting at the king's gate." His wife Zeresh and all his friends said to him, "Have. . . . .

QUESTION: What did Haman’s wife and friends suggest?
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Photo for 03/24//2006

Yep…another butterfly photo that was shot out at the Legler Barn…

Points To Ponder 03/24/2006

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Old age is like everything else-to make it a success, you have to start young.
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BIBLE QUIZ:
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OLD TESTAMENT: Esther 5:3-7 (NIV)
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Then the king asked, "What is it, Queen Esther? What is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be given you." "If it pleases the king," replied Esther, "let the king, together with Haman, come today to a banquet I have prepared for him." "Bring Haman at once," the king said, "so that we may do what Esther asks." So the king and Haman went to the banquet Esther had prepared. As they were drinking wine, the king again asked Esther, "Now what is your petition? It will be given you. And what is your request? Even up to half the kingdom, it will be granted." Esther replied, "My petition and my request is this: . . . . .

QUESTION: What was Esther’s request?
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Photo for 03/23/2006

Another waterfall picture………The flowers are Fire Weeds…..

Points To Ponder 03/23/2006

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Some people are like blisters. They never appear until the work is done.
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BIBLE QUIZ:
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OLD TESTAMENT: Esther 5:1-3 (NIV)
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On the third day Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the palace, in front of the king's hall. The king was sitting on his royal throne in the hall, facing the entrance. When he saw Queen Esther standing in the court, he was pleased with her and held out to her the gold scepter that was in his hand. So Esther approached and touched the tip of the scepter. Then the king . . . . . .

QUESTION: What did the king do? Remember the law….anyone who approaches the king in the inner court without being summoned the king has but one law: that he be put to death!
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Photo for 03/22/2006

Santa Fe Peak and a small alpine lake…Near the ghost town of Geneva, Colorado…

Points To Ponder 03/22/2006

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Always remember we pass this way but once.....unless your spouse is reading the road map.
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BIBLE QUIZ:
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OLD TESTAMENT: Esther 4:12-17 (NIV)
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When Esther's words were reported to Mordecai, he sent back this answer: "Do not think that because you are in the king's house you alone of all the Jews will escape.
For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to _________ ____________ for such a time as this?" Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: "Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maids will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the ______. And if I perish, I perish." So Mordecai went away and carried out all of Esther's instructions.

QUESTION: God has put you in your specific time and place for a reason…..You are not where you are by accident….God has a plan for you….do you know what it is?
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Photo for 03/21/2006

Storm headed our way…..

Points To Ponder 03/21/2006

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Don't complain about growing old; this privilege is denied many people……
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BIBLE QUIZ:
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OLD TESTAMENT: Esther 4:5-13 (NIV)
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Then Esther summoned Hathach, one of the king's eunuchs assigned to attend her, and ordered him to find out what was troubling Mordecai and why. So Hathach went out to Mordecai in the open square of the city in front of the king's gate. Mordecai told him everything that had happened to him, including the exact amount of money Haman had promised to pay into the royal treasury for the destruction of the Jews. He also gave him a copy of the text of the edict for their annihilation, which had been published in Susa, to show to Esther and explain it to her, and he told him to urge her to go into the king's presence to beg for mercy and plead with him for her people. Hathach went back and reported to Esther what Mordecai had said. Then she instructed him to say to Mordecai, "All the king's officials and the people of the royal provinces know that for any man or woman who approaches the king in the inner court without being summoned the king has but one law: that he be put to death. The only exception to this is for the king to extend the gold scepter to him and spare his life. But thirty days have passed since I was called to go to the king." When Esther's words were reported to Mordecai, he sent back this answer: . . . . . .

QUESTION: What was Mordecai’s answer?
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Photo for 03/20/2006

Some type of a black bird in our backyard. Can anyone tell me what it is?

Points To Ponder 03/20/2006

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Worry is interest paid on trouble before it comes due……
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BIBLE QUIZ:
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OLD TESTAMENT: Esther 4:1-5 (NIV)
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When Mordecai learned of all that had been done, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the city, wailing loudly and bitterly. But he went only as far as the king's gate, because no one clothed in sackcloth was allowed to enter it. In every province to which the edict and order of the king came, there was great mourning among the Jews, with fasting, weeping and wailing. Many lay in sackcloth and ashes. When Esther's maids and eunuchs came and told her about Mordecai, she was in great distress. She sent clothes for him to put on instead of his sackcloth, but he would not accept them. Then Esther . . . .

QUESTION: What did Esther do next?
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Points To Ponder 03/19/2006

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Happiness is like potato salad - when you share it with others, it's a picnic……
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BIBLE QUIZ:
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OLD TESTAMENT: Esther 3:11-15 (NIV)
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"Keep the money," the king said to Haman, "and do with the people as you please." Then on the thirteenth day of the first month the royal secretaries were summoned. They wrote out in the script of each province and in the language of each people all Haman's orders to the king's satraps, the governors of the various provinces and the nobles of the various peoples. These were written in the name of King Xerxes himself and sealed with his own ring. Dispatches were sent by couriers to all the king's provinces with the order to destroy, kill and annihilate all the Jews-- young and old, women and little children-- on a single day, the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar, and to plunder their goods. A copy of the text of the edict was to be issued as law in every province and made known to the people of every nationality so they would be ready for that day. Spurred on by the king's command, the couriers went out, and the edict was issued in the citadel of Susa. The king and Haman sat down to drink, but the city of Susa was  . . .

QUESTION: What was the reaction of the city of Susa to the kings edict?
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Photo for 03/18/2006

We had a full moon a couple of nights ago so I took my big telephoto out and took a shot of it…then enlarged it some more in PhotoShop…..

Points To Ponder 03/18/2006

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Experience is like drawing without an eraser…
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BIBLE QUIZ:
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OLD TESTAMENT: Esther 3:6:11 (NIV)
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Yet having learned who Mordecai's people were, he scorned the idea of killing only Mordecai. Instead Haman looked for a way to destroy all Mordecai's people, the Jews, throughout the whole kingdom of Xerxes. In the twelfth year of King Xerxes, in the first month, the month of Nisan, they cast the pur (that is, the lot) in the presence of Haman to select a day and month. And the lot fell on the twelfth month, the month of Adar. Then Haman said to King Xerxes, "There is a certain people dispersed and scattered among the peoples in all the provinces of your kingdom whose customs are different from those of all other people and who do not obey the king's laws; it is not in the king's best interest to tolerate them. If it pleases the king, let a decree be issued to destroy them, and I will put ten thousand talents of silver into the royal treasury for the men who carry out this business." So the king took his signet ring from his finger and gave it to Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of the Jews. "______ ___ _________," the king said to Haman, "and do with the people as you please.". . . .

QUESTION: What did the king do with the ten thousand talents of silver?
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Photo for 03/17/2006

Some Geese just after a bad storm out at Shawnee Mission Park…

Points To Ponder 03/17/2006

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A critic is a person who knows the route but can't drive the car.
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BIBLE QUIZ:
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OLD TESTAMENT: Esther 3:1-6 (NIV)
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After these events, King Xerxes honored Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, elevating him and giving him a seat of honor higher than that of all the other nobles. All the royal officials at the king's gate knelt down and paid honor to Haman, for the king had commanded this concerning him. But Mordecai would not kneel down or pay him honor. Then the royal officials at the king's gate asked Mordecai, "Why do you disobey the king's command?" Day after day they spoke to him but he refused to comply. Therefore they told Haman about it to see whether Mordecai's behavior would be tolerated, for he had told them he was a Jew. When Haman saw that Mordecai would not kneel down or pay him honor, he was enraged. Yet having learned who Mordecai's people were, he scorned the idea of killing only Mordecai. Instead Haman looked for a way to . . . .

QUESTION: Who did Haman want to kill besides Mordecai?
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Photo for 03/16/2006

An old homestead near Eldorado Springs, Colorado…

Points To Ponder 03/16/2006

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Sight is a faculty; seeing is an art.
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BIBLE QUIZ:
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OLD TESTAMENT: Esther 2:17-23 (NIV)
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Now the king was attracted to Esther more than to any of the other women, and she won his favor and approval more than any of the other virgins. So he set a royal crown on her head and made her queen instead of Vashti. And the king gave a great banquet, Esther's banquet, for all his nobles and officials. He proclaimed a holiday throughout the provinces and distributed gifts with royal liberality. When the virgins were assembled a second time, Mordecai was sitting at the king's gate. But Esther had kept secret her family background and nationality just as Mordecai had told her to do, for she continued to follow Mordecai's instructions as she had done when he was bringing her up. During the time Mordecai was sitting at the king's gate, Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king's officers who guarded the doorway, became angry and conspired to assassinate King Xerxes. But Mordecai found out about the plot and told Queen Esther, who in turn reported it to the king, giving credit to Mordecai. And when the report was investigated and found to be true, the two officials were . . . .

QUESTION: What happened to Bigthana and Teresh?
Note for future reference: All this was recorded in the book of the annals in the presence of the king.
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Photo for 03/15/2006

An oil painting I did of the ghost town of Marysville, Montana…..

Points To Ponder 03/15/2006

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For peace of mind resign as general manager of the universe.
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BIBLE QUIZ:
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OLD TESTAMENT: Esther 13-17 (NIV)
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(Fill in the blank)

And this is how she (Esther) would go to the king: Anything she wanted was given her to take with her from the harem to the king's palace. In the evening she would go there and in the morning return to another part of the harem to the care of Shaashgaz, the king's eunuch who was in charge of the concubines. She would not return to the king unless he was pleased with her and summoned her by _____. When the turn came for Esther (the girl Mordecai had adopted, the daughter of his uncle Abihail) to go to the king, she asked for nothing other than what Hegai, the king's eunuch who was in charge of the harem, suggested. And Esther won the favor of everyone who saw her. She was taken to King Xerxes in the royal residence in the tenth month, the month of Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign. Now the king was attracted to Esther more than to any of the other women, and she won his favor and approval more than any of the other virgins. So he (the king) . .

QUESTION: What did the king do?
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Photo for 03/14/2006

A giant thunderhead after some major storms yesterday……In the upper left you can see some of the dark clouds retreating….but not before I got hailed on… :o)

Points To Ponder 03/14/2006

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Thunder is good, thunder is impressive, but it is the lightning that does the work. - Mark Twain
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BIBLE QUIZ:
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OLD TESTAMENT: Esther 2:8-13 (NIV)
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(Fill in the blanks)

When the king's order and edict had been proclaimed, many girls were brought to the citadel of Susa and put under the care of Hegai. Esther also was taken to the king's palace and entrusted to Hegai, who had charge of the harem. The girl pleased him and won his favor. Immediately he provided her with her beauty treatments and special food. He assigned to her seven maids selected from the king's palace and moved her and her maids into the best place in the harem. Esther had not revealed her nationality and family background, because Mordecai had forbidden her to do so. Every day he walked back and forth near the courtyard of the harem to find out how Esther was and what was happening to her. Before a girl's turn came to go in to King Xerxes, she had to complete ____ months of beauty treatments prescribed for the women, ____ months with oil of myrrh and ____ with perfumes and cosmetics. And this is how she would go to the king: Anything she wanted was given her to take with her from the harem to the king's palace.
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Photo for 03/13/2006

Alpine sunflowers in the Coloraodo high country……….

Points To Ponder 03/13/2006

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A false friend and a shadow attend only when the sun shines. - Benjamin Franklin
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BIBLE QUIZ:
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OLD TESTAMENT: Esther 2:4-7 (NIV)
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Then let the girl who pleases the king be queen instead of Vashti." This advice appealed to the king, and he followed it.

Now there was in the citadel of Susa a Jew of the tribe of Benjamin, named Mordecai son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, who had been carried into exile from Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, among those taken captive with Jehoiachin king of Judah. Mordecai had a cousin named Hadassah, whom he had brought up because she had neither father nor mother. This girl, who was also known as _________, was lovely in form and features, and Mordecai had taken her as his own daughter when her father and mother died.

QUESTION: By what other name do we know Hadassa?
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Photo for 03/12/2006

A lone blossom on a tree makes its appearance…..Okay.....so what kind of tree is it? I think it is some type of magnolia? Please drop me an e-mail if you know the name......

Points To Ponder 03/12/2006

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Freedom is the right to be wrong, not the right to do wrong.
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BIBLE QUIZ:
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OLD TESTAMENT: Esther 1:19-2:4 (NIV)
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"Therefore, if it pleases the king, let him issue a royal decree and let it be written in the laws of Persia and Media, which cannot be repealed, that Vashti is never again to enter the presence of King Xerxes. Also let the king give her royal position to someone else who is better than she. Then when the king's edict is proclaimed throughout all his vast realm, all the women will respect their husbands, from the least to the greatest." The king and his nobles were pleased with this advice, so the king did as Memucan proposed. He sent dispatches to all parts of the kingdom, to each province in its own script and to each people in its own language, proclaiming in each people's tongue that every man should be ruler over his own household.

CHAPTER 2

Later when the anger of King Xerxes had subsided, he remembered Vashti and what she had done and what he had decreed about her. Then the king's personal attendants proposed, "Let a search be made for beautiful young virgins for the king. Let the king appoint commissioners in every province of his realm to bring all these beautiful girls into the harem at the citadel of Susa. Let them be placed under the care of Hegai, the king's eunuch, who is in charge of the women; and let beauty treatments be given to them. Then let the girl who pleases the king be . . . . . .

QUESTION: What would happen to the girl who most pleased the king?
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Photo for 03/11/2006

A Kansas sunflower……….

Points To Ponder 03/11/2006

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People may doubt what you say, but they will always believe what you do.
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BIBLE QUIZ:
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OLD TESTAMENT: Esther 1:12-20 (NIV)
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But when the attendants delivered the king's command, Queen Vashti refused to come. Then the king became furious and burned with anger.
Since it was customary for the king to consult experts in matters of law and justice, he spoke with the wise men who understood the times and were closest to the king-- Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena and Memucan, the seven nobles of Persia and Media who had special access to the king and were highest in the kingdom. "According to law, what must be done to Queen Vashti?" he asked. "She has not obeyed the command of King Xerxes that the eunuchs have taken to her." Then Memucan replied in the presence of the king and the nobles, "Queen Vashti has done wrong, not only against the king but also against all the nobles and the peoples of all the provinces of King Xerxes. For the queen's conduct will become known to all the women, and so they will despise their husbands and say, 'King Xerxes commanded Queen Vashti to be brought before him, but she would not come.' This very day the Persian and Median women of the nobility who have heard about the queen's conduct will respond to all the king's nobles in the same way. There will be no end of disrespect and discord. "Therefore, if it pleases the king, let him issue a royal decree and let it be written in the laws of Persia and Media, which cannot be repealed, that Vashti is . . . . .

QUESTION: What was the punishment for Queen Vashti?
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Photo for 03/10/2006

A small bird at Beaver Lake, Arkansas…Can anyone tell me what kind of bird it is?

Points To Ponder 03/10/2006

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Hiring people smarter than you proves you’re smarter than they are.
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BIBLE QUIZ:
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OLD TESTAMENT: Esther 1:1-12 (NIV)
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Time to shift gears for awhile…In looking at what we’ve covered in the past few years I noticed that we have not looked at the book of Esther in the Old Testament…So here we go….Here is how the story starts…..

This is what happened during the time of Xerxes, the Xerxes who ruled over ____ provinces stretching from India to Cush: At that time King Xerxes reigned from his royal throne in the citadel of Susa, and in the third year of his reign he gave a banquet for all his nobles and officials. The military leaders of Persia and Media, the princes, and the nobles of the provinces were present. For a full 180 days he displayed the vast wealth of his kingdom and the splendor and glory of his majesty. When these days were over, the king gave a banquet, lasting seven days, in the enclosed garden of the king's palace, for all the people from the least to the greatest, who were in the citadel of Susa. The garden had hangings of white and blue linen, fastened with cords of white linen and purple material to silver rings on marble pillars. There were couches of gold and silver on a mosaic pavement of porphyry, marble, mother-of-pearl and other costly stones. Wine was served in goblets of gold, each one different from the other, and the royal wine was abundant, in keeping with the king's liberality. By the king's command each guest was allowed to drink in his own way, for the king instructed all the wine stewards to serve each man what he wished. Queen Vashti also gave a banquet for the women in the royal palace of King Xerxes. On the seventh day, when King Xerxes was in high spirits from wine, he commanded the seven eunuchs who served him-- Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar and Carcas to bring before him Queen Vashti, wearing her royal crown, in order to display her beauty to the people and nobles, for she was lovely to look at. . . . . . . . . . .

QUESTION: What was the response of Queen Vashti to the king?
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Photo for 03/09/2006

I was on the way home from a meeting at church and managed to catch this sunset over the lake in Shawnee Mission Park.

Points To Ponder 03/09/2006

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Most of us would be happy to pay as we go if only we could catch up on where we’ve been.
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BIBLE QUIZ:
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NEW TESTAMENT: (See Acts Chapter 1)
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After His resurrection Jesus appeared to many people over a 40 day period and then went back to heaven. How did he depart? (Pick one)

1. As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated Jesus from the disciples, and Jesus went up to heaven in a whirlwind.


2. On the Mount of Olives, He was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight as they looked intently up into the sky as he was going,


3. As they were walking along and talking together near the Mount of Olives, suddenly Jesus disappeared from their sight.

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Photo for 03/08/2006

An old mine head frame at the ghost town of Red Mountain Town, Colorado…Talk about hanging on by a thread!

Points To Ponder 03/08/2006

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Most of us are proud of our freedom to be able to say what we please. What we wish is that we had is the courage to say it.
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BIBLE QUIZ:
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NEW TESTAMENT: (See I Corinthians Chapter 15)
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The Bible lists twelve (12) post-resurrection appearances of Jesus (counting His appearance to Saul on the Damascus road). What was the largest group of people He appeared to? (Pick One)

• 125


• 251


• 500


• 753

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Photo for 03/07/2006

Here ya go…the first flower of the spring 2006! (at least at our yard). This Jonquil made its appearance yesterday (03/05/2006).

Points To Ponder 03/07/2006

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When there is no faith in the future, there is no meaningful work in the present.
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BIBLE QUIZ:
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NEW TESTAMENT: (See Acts Chapter 1)
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After His resurrection Jesus showed himself to many people and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of _______ days and spoke about the kingdom of God. (Pick one to insert in the blank above)

1. 7


2. 15


3. 29


4. 40


5. 50

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Photo for 03/06/2006

Sheep grazing on the alpine tundra above the ghost town of Eureka, Colorado…Note all the sheep are going in one direction…except for one… :o)

Points To Ponder 03/06/2006

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To forgive is to set the prisoner free, and then discover the prisoner was you.
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BIBLE QUIZ:
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NEW TESTAMENT: (See John Chapter 21)
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After they got tired of waiting Simon Peter said, "I'm going out to fish," and they said, "We'll go with you." So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. He called out to them, "Friends, haven't you any fish?" "No," they answered. He said, "Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some." When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish. Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, "It is the Lord," he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards. When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread. Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish you have just caught." Simon Peter climbed aboard and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, _______, but even with so many the net was not torn.

How many fish did the catch when they followed in instructions of Jesus? (Pick One)

1. 110


2. 231


3. 153


4. 161

BONUS POINT: This miracle was very similar to one that happened in the beginning of Jesus’ ministry. What was the occasion and what is the Scripture reference for the similar miracle?
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Photo for 03/05/2006

Mt. of the Holy Cross, Colorado….I took this photo in 1976 which was the one hundredth anniversary of the first photo taken of this mountain.

Points To Ponder 03/05/2006

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Sorrow looks back, worry looks around, and faith looks up.
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BIBLE QUIZ:
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NEW TESTAMENT: (See John Chapter 21)
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The third time Jesus appeared to His disciples [after His resurrection] there were ____ disciples present. What were they doing when they saw Jesus? (Fill in the blank above and pick one below)

1. They were walking along the shore of the Sea of Tiberias.


2. They were fishing.


3. They were eating dinner at the house of Nathanael.

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Photo for 03/04/2006

Flowers at the Christa McAuliffe Elementary School, Lenexa, Kansas.

Points To Ponder 03/04/2006

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Every patient is a doctor after they’ve been cured.
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BIBLE QUIZ:
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NEW TESTAMENT: (See John Chapter 20)
On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the ______ ______. If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven."
(Fill in the blank above and pick one below):
One of the disciples was not present on this occasion. Which one was missing?

1. Bartholomew


2. Andrew


3. Thomas


4. Jude

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Photo for 03/03/2006

Cardinal at Beaver Lake, Arkansas.

Points To Ponder 03/03/2006

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The closest most people ever come to reaching their ideal is when they write their résumés.
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BIBLE QUIZ:
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NEW TESTAMENT: (See Luke Chapter 24)
On the same day that Peter witnessed the empty tomb two followers of Jesus were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him. He asked them, "What are you discussing together as you walk along?" They stood still, their faces downcast. One of them, named __________, asked him, "Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know the things that have happened there in these days?". . . . . .And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, Jesus explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. . . . . . As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus acted as if he were going farther. But they urged him strongly, "Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over." So he went in to stay with them. How was it that their eyes were opened and they recognized him: (Pick One)

1. Their eyes were opened after He explained the Scriptures to them.


2. Their eyes were opened when he was at the table with them, and He took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them.


3. Their eyes were open when he explained, “did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?"

BONUS POINT: What happened immediately after their eyes were opened?
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Photo for 03/02/2006

Columbines and a small waterfall on our trip over Tin Cup Pass, Colorado.

Points To Ponder 03/02/2006

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A good time to keep your mouth shut is when you're in deep water.
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BIBLE QUIZ:
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NEW TESTAMENT: (See John Chapter 20)
At the tomb - When Mary Magdalene turned around and saw Jesus standing there she did not realize that it was Jesus. Who did she think it was? (Pick One)

1. Peter


2. The gardener


3. John


4. James

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