Photo for 12/01/2006

More fall colors… At Shawnee Mission Park….

Point To Ponder 12/01/2006

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One life can influence an entire community, just as a flower can fill an entire room with a sweet aroma.
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BIBLE QUIZ: (see Acts 15:13-21)
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(New Testament/Book of Acts, Chapter 15) When they finished, James spoke up: "Brothers, listen to me. Simon has described to us how God at first showed his concern by taking from the Gentiles a people for himself. The words of the prophets are in agreement with this, as it is written: "'After this I will return and rebuild David's fallen tent. Its ruins I will rebuild, and I will restore it, that the remnant of men may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who bear my name, says the Lord, who does these things' that have been known for ages. "It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it _________ for the Gentiles who are turning to God. Instead we should write to them, telling them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from ________ immorality, from the meat of strangled animals and from blood. For Moses has been preached in every city from the earliest times and is read in the synagogues on every Sabbath."
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Photo for 11/30/20066

More fall colors… At Black Swan Lake

Point To Ponder 11/30/2006

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Faith always takes the first step forward.
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BIBLE QUIZ: (see Acts 15:7-12)
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(New Testament/Book of Acts, Chapter 15) After much discussion, Peter got up and addressed them: "Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe. God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. He made no distinction between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith. Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear? No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are." The whole assembly became ___________ as they listened to Barnabas and Paul telling about the miraculous signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles through them.
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Photo for 11/29/2006

A Maple by the Legler Barn Museum....

Point To Ponder 11/29/2006

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Every great and noble work seemed at first impossible.
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BIBLE QUIZ: (see Acts 15:4-6)
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(New Testament/Book of Acts, Chapter 15) When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and elders, to whom they reported everything God had done through them. Then some of the believers who belonged to the party of the ___________ stood up and said, "The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to obey the law of Moses." The apostles and elders met to consider this ___________.
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Photo for 11/28/2006

More fall color…

Point To Ponder 11/28/2006

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Angry at another’s faults? Count ten ­- of your own.
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BIBLE QUIZ: (see Acts 15:1-3)
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(New Testament/Book of Acts, Chapter 15) Some men came down from Judea to Antioch and were teaching the brothers: "Unless you are _____________, according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved." This brought Paul and Barnabas into _______ dispute and debate with them. So Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with some other believers, to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this question. The church sent them on their way, and as they traveled through Phoenicia and Samaria, they told how the Gentiles had been converted. This news made all the brothers very glad.
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Ian...this past spring....out at Weston Bend State Park

Greetings,

I believe this have been the longest stretch of NOT sending "Points To Ponder" since I began in 1998...The dry spell started when we headed out of town to Columbia, MO on 11/17 where I had the privilege of performing a wedding for the son of one of our "Train Friends" (this was the first wedding I have ever officiated at). We got back from the wedding on Sunday morning and immediately repacked and Vicki took me to the hostpital for a TKR (Total Knee Replacement - right knee). I had to be there two days early so they could do a quick drop on my blood thinners etc. as anything I do health wise is made exceedingly complicated by my Lupus (SLE). Surgery was on 11/21 and thanks to a new nerve block procedure I was 97% pain free for 24 hours afterwards..PTL However, I can assure you that the knee is now fully awake! For me surgery causes another great discomfort in that ALL my plumbing shuts TOTALLY down...UGH :O( But I will spare you the details on that :O).

So I spent Thanksgiving in the hospital and came home on 11/24 where Vicki and the visiting nurses will keep tabs on me and my blood thinners for a couple of weeks. The doc says it may be eight weeks before I can drive...WOW! My son brought me over an air card for my laptop so I can now do e-mail etc. while laying in bed.

Adding to difficulty of this past week was the fact that we had to have our 13 year old Black Lab, "Ian" put to sleep yesterday because of serious ongoing health issues. :O(

Thanks to the all of you who have been praying for my recovery etc....I had eleventeen hundred e-mails in my inbox when I opened it up!

Point To Ponder 11/27/2006

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“God is never in a hurry, but He is always on time.” - Rick Warren
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BIBLE QUIZ: (see Acts 14:27-28)
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(New Testament/Book of Acts, Chapter 14) - On arriving there, they gathered the church together and reported all that God had done through them and how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles. And they stayed there a ________ time with the disciples.
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Photo for 11/17/2006

More fall colors…

Point To Ponder 11/17/2006

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Every believer should be a walking sermon.
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BIBLE QUIZ: (see Acts 14:21-26)
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(New Testament/Book of Acts, Chapter 14) - They preached the good news in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. "We must go through many _____________ to enter the kingdom of God," they said. Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust. After going through Pisidia, they came into Pamphylia, and when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia. From Attalia they sailed back to Antioch, where they had been committed to the grace of God for the work they had now completed.
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Photo for 11/16/2006

More fall color in our neighbors yard…

Point To Ponder 11/16/2006

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A well-read Bible is the sign of a well-fed soul.
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BIBLE QUIZ: (see Acts 14:19-20)
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(New Testament/Book of Acts, Chapter 14) - Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowd over. They __________ Paul and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead. But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city. The next day he and Barnabas left for Derbe.
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Photo for 11/15/2006

More…..Tall Oaks at the Tall Oaks Conference Center …

Point To Ponder 11/15/2006

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In the matter of salvation, he who hesitates is lost!
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BIBLE QUIZ: (see Acts 14:13-18)
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(New Testament/Book of Acts, Chapter 14) - The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city, brought bulls and wreaths to the city gates because he and the crowd wanted to offer sacrifices to them. But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of this, they _______ their clothes and rushed out into the crowd, shouting: "Men, why are you doing this? We too are only men, human like you. We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made heaven and earth and sea and everything in them. In the past, he let all nations go their own way. Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy." Even with these words, they had difficulty keeping the crowd from ____________ to them.
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Photo for 11/14/2006

Tall Oaks at the Tall Oaks Conference Center …

Point To Ponder 11/14/2006

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God formed us; sin deformed us; but Christ can transform us.
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BIBLE QUIZ: (see Acts 14:8-12)
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(New Testament/Book of Acts, Chapter 14) - In Lystra there sat a man crippled in his feet, who was lame from birth and had never walked. He listened to Paul as he was speaking. Paul looked directly at him, saw that he had faith to be healed and called out, "Stand up on your feet!" At that, the man jumped up and began to walk. When the crowd saw what Paul had done, they shouted in the Lycaonian language, "The gods have come down to us in human form!" Barnabas they called __________and Paul they called _________ because he was the chief speaker.
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Photo for 11/13/2006

Berries on a Juniper tree at the “Tall Oaks Conference Center” …

Point To Ponder 11/13/2006

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It’s no use trying to shine if you haven’t taken the time to fill your lamp.
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BIBLE QUIZ: (see Acts 14:5-7)
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(New Testament/Book of Acts, Chapter 14) - There was a plot afoot among the Gentiles and Jews, together with their leaders, to mistreat them and _______ them. But they found out about it and fled to the _______________ cities of Lystra and Derbe and to the surrounding country, where they continued to preach the good news.
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Photo for 11/12/2006

Some fall color at Shawnee Mission Park, Shawnee Mission, Kansas...

Point To Ponder 11/12/2006

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Give your life to Christ and you’ll keep it forever.
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BIBLE QUIZ: (see Acts 14:1-4)
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(New Testament/Book of Acts, Chapter 14) - At Iconium Paul and Barnabas went as usual into the Jewish synagogue. There they spoke so effectively that a great number of Jews and __________ believed. But the Jews who refused to believe stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of his grace by enabling them to do miraculous _______ and __________. The people of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews, others with the apostles.
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Photo for 11/11/2006

Some fall color at Shawnee Mission Park, Shawnee Mission, Kansas...

Point To Ponder 11/11/2006

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The choice you make today will determine your tomorrow.
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BIBLE QUIZ: (see Acts 13:50-52)
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(New Testament/Book of Acts, Chapter 13) - But the Jews incited the God-fearing women of high standing and the leading men of the city. They stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region. So they shook the ______ from their feet in protest against them and went to Iconium. And the disciples were filled with _______ and with the Holy Spirit.
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Photo for 11/10/2006

Some fall color at Weston Bend State Park, Weston, Missouri

Photo for 11/10/2006

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Sunset in one land is sunrise in another.
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BIBLE QUIZ: (see Acts 13:43-49)
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(New Testament/Book of Acts, Chapter 13) - When the congregation was dismissed, many of the Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who talked with them and urged them to continue in the grace of God. On the next Sabbath almost the whole ________ gathered to hear the word of the Lord. When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with ___________ and talked ____________ against what Paul was saying. Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: "We had to speak the word of God to you first. Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles. For this is what the Lord has commanded us: "'I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.'" When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed. The word of the Lord spread through the whole region.
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Photo for 110/09/2006

Some fall color in our yard …

Point To Ponder 11/09/2006

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We sow the seed, but God brings the harvest.
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BIBLE QUIZ: (see Acts 13:38-42)
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(New Testament/Book of Acts, Chapter 13) - "Therefore, my brothers, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of ______ is proclaimed to you. Through him everyone who believes is justified from everything you could not be justified from by the law of Moses. Take care that what the prophets have said does not happen to you: "'Look, you scoffers, wonder and perish, for I am going to do something in your days that you would never believe, even if someone told you.'" As Paul and Barnabas were leaving the synagogue, the people invited them to speak further about these things on the next Sabbath.
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Photo for 11/08/2006

Some fall color at Shawnee Mission Park, Shawnee Mission, Kansas …

Point To Ponder 11/08/2006

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Treasures in heaven are laid up as treasures on earth are laid down.
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BIBLE QUIZ: (see Acts 13:14ff)
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(New Testament/Book of Acts, Chapter 13) - From Perga they went on to Pisidian Antioch. On the Sabbath they entered the synagogue and sat down. After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the synagogue rulers sent word to them, saying, "Brothers, if you have a message of encouragement for the people, please speak." Standing up, Paul motioned with his hand and said: "Men of Israel and you Gentiles who worship God, listen to me! The God of the people of Israel chose . . . ___________.....following this Paul then gives them an abbreviated history of Israel from Egypt through __ __ __ __ __ .
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Photo for 11/07/2006

Here are the “Three Maples”…….. at Shawnee Mission Park, Shawnee Mission …

Point To Ponder 11/07/2006

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All creation points to God….
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BIBLE QUIZ: (see Acts 13:11-13)
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(New Testament/Book of Acts, Chapter 13) - Now the hand of the Lord is against you. You are going to be blind, and for a time you will be unable to see the light of the sun." Immediately mist and darkness came over him, and he groped about, seeking someone to lead him by the hand. When the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, for he was amazed at the teaching about the Lord. From Paphos, Paul and his companions sailed to Perga in Pamphylia, where ______ left them to return to Jerusalem.

1. Barnabas
2. Silas
3. John
4. John Mark
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Photo for 11/06/2006

Here is what I would call either a groundhog or a woodchuck? Out at Shawnee Mission Park, Shawnee Mission … :O).

Point To Ponder 11/06/2006

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Our heavenly home is our REAL estate.
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BIBLE QUIZ: (see Acts 13:1-11)
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(New Testament/Book of Acts, Chapter 13) - 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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Photo for 11/05/2006

Here is one of the reasons we have a hard time growing flowers in the backyard… :O).

Point To Ponder 11/05/2006

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Self gratification will lead to spiritual stagnation.
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BIBLE QUIZ: (see Acts 13:1-3)
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(New Testament/Book of Acts, Chapter 13) - In the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the __________ __________ said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.
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Photo for 11/04/2006

A crow at Shawnee Mission Park.

Point To Ponder 11/04/2006

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If you are on the Rock…Be His lighthouse!
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BIBLE QUIZ: (see Acts 12:24-25)
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(New Testament/Book of Acts, Chapter 12) - But the word of God continued to increase and spread. When Barnabas and Saul had finished their mission, they returned from Jerusalem, taking with them John, also called __________. (pick one)

1. Luke
2. Judas
3. Mark
4. Levi
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Photo for 11/03/2006

A Monarch comes in for a landing at the Legler Barn Museum.

Point To Ponder 11/03/2006

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The easiest way to keep temptation from growing is to nip it in the bud.
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BIBLE QUIZ: (see Acts 12:20-23)
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(New Testament/Book of Acts, Chapter 12) - He [Herod] had been quarreling with the people of Tyre and Sidon; they now joined together and sought an audience with him. Having secured the support of Blastus, a trusted personal servant of the king, they asked for peace, because they depended on the king's country for their food supply. On the appointed day Herod, wearing his royal robes, sat on his throne and delivered a public address to the people. They shouted, "This is the voice of a god, not of a man." Immediately, because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by __________ and died.

1. Ravens
2. Lice
3. Worms
4. Dogs
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Photo for 11/02/2006

A close up of a butterfly at the Legler Barn Museum.

Point To Ponder 11/02/2006

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Man builds for a century; the Christian builds for eternity.
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BIBLE QUIZ: (see Acts 12:18-19)
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(New Testament/Book of Acts, Chapter 12) - In the morning, there was no small commotion among the soldiers as to what had become of Peter. After Herod had a thorough search made for him and did not find him, he cross-examined the guards and ordered that they be ______________. Then Herod went from Judea to Caesarea and stayed there a while. (Pick One)

1. Executed
2. Flogged
3. Stoned
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