Photo for 10/01/2007

Today is the NINTH A N N I V E R S A R Y of “Points To Ponder”

Points To Ponder was started on my birthday in 1998. The Bible Quiz was added in October of 2002. The photos were added in 2005. The Blogger web site was created in February of 2005…So that’s approximately 3,285 days Points to Ponder!!!

Points To Ponder 10/01/2007

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Only those who do nothing never make mistakes.
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BIBLE QUIZ: Fill in the blanks….Matthew 28:16-20.
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Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all _________, _________ them in the name of the ________ and of the _____ and of the Holy ________, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."" (NIV)
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Photo for 09/30/2007

A few days ago out at Shawnee Mission Park.

Points To Ponder 09/30/2007

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The road to ruin has toll roads along the way.
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BIBLE QUIZ: Fill in the blanks…. Genesis 5:22-24
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This man was the father of Methuselah, he lived for 365 years but did not die because he walked with God; then he was no more, because God took him away.
His name was __ __ __ __ __.
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Photo for 09/29/2007

Hand water pump at the Deanna Rose Farmstead, Olathe, Kansas.

Points To Ponder 09/29/2007

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The more we meditate on the Scriptures, the closer we’ll walk with the Savior.
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BIBLE QUIZ: Fill in the blanks…. Colossians 3:23-24
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Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the ________, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the ________ _________ you are serving.
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Photo for 09/28/2007

Ducks at the lake at the Legler Barn Museum, Lenexa, Kansas…

Points To Ponder 09/28/2007

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“The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting. It has been found difficult; and left untried.” - G. K. Chesteron
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BIBLE QUIZ: Fill in the blanks…. Acts 24:16
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So I strive always to keep my __________ clear before God and man.
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Photo for 09/27/2007

Another woodchuck out on our deck!!!!

Points To Ponder 09/27/2007

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Life’s trials are not designed to break us but to bend us toward God.
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BIBLE QUIZ: Fill in the blanks…. Matthew 4:8-11
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8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their ___________.
9 "All this I will give you," he said, "if you will bow down and worship me."
10 Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and _________ him only.'"
11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him. (NIV)
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Photo for 09/26/2007

Here is a butterfly that I photographed yesterday out at Shawnee Mission Park…

Points To Ponder 09/26/2007

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Most of us are more concerned about virus protection on our computers that we are about protecting ourselves from the schemes of Satan.
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BIBLE QUIZ: Fill in the blanks…. Matthew 4:5-7
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5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the __________.
6 "If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw yourself down. For it is written: "'He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.'"
7 Jesus answered him, "It is also written: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the __________.'"(NIV)
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Photo for 09/25/2007

Another Bambi shot from earlier this summer out at Shawnee Mission Park……

Points To Ponder 09/25/2007

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Where worry starts, faith ends.
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BIBLE QUIZ: Fill in the blanks…. Matthew 4:1-4
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1 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil.
2 After fasting _______ days and _______ nights, he was hungry.
3 The tempter came to him and said, "If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become _________."
4 Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" (NIV)
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Photo for 09/24/2007

A droplet of water is caught falling from a geranium on our deck…This was shot at 1/1000 of a second @ f/5.6 with the lens set to 85 mm. The ISO was 800. This was another one of those cases where I would wait, and wait for a drop of water became bigger and then try to catch it as it finally fell from the flower…:0)

Points To Ponder 09/24/2007

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Many profess Christianity but never possess it.
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BIBLE QUIZ: Fill in the blanks…. Galatians 5:22
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But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, ___________, goodness, faithfulness, . . . .
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Photo for 09/23/2007

A “Buckeye Moth” in flight. This is one the harder shots to get. Butterflies and/or moths fly in an erratic pattern at significant speeds so trying to line up one of these beauties in a 480 mm telephoto is nearly impossible. Basically I would zero in on one sitting on a flower and then wait for it to take off…hoping to get it. So it is really a trial and error approach. To freeze frame it I shot at 1/1250 of a second (could have been a tad higher) @ f/9 with an ISO of 800.

Points To Ponder 09/23/2007

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Eternity is determined in the here and now. Life is a PASS or FAIL course. God does not grade on the curve.
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BIBLE QUIZ: Fill in the blanks…. 1 Timothy 2:5-6
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5 For there is _____ God and ______ mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,
6 who gave himself as a ransom for all men-- the testimony given in its proper time.(NIV)
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Photo for 09/22/2007

I believe this is a Great Blue Heron???..... Photographed out at Shawnee Mission Park……

Points To Ponder 09/22/2007

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If the grass is greener on the other side of the fence…you’ve probably been neglecting your own lawn..
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BIBLE QUIZ: I John 4:19
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We love Him, because He _______ loved us.
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Photo for 09/21/2007

Another Bambi shot from earlier this summer out at Shawnee Mission Park……

Points To Ponder 09/21/2007

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Satan loves to trap our minds within the present calamity, where the problem can expand to massive proportions, stripped of the context of God’s purposes.
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BIBLE QUIZ: Who am I……. (see 3 John 1:1 )
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The Apostle John addressed his third letter to me. He commended me for my generosity and faithful service.

· Gaham
· Sopater
· Gerber
· Gaius
· Gallim

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Photo for 09/20/2007

Bee's on a coneflower at the Christa McAuliffe Elementary School, Lenexa, Kansas.

Photo for 09/19/2007

Sunflower at the Legler Barn Museum, Lenexa, Kansas…

Points To Ponder 09/19/2007

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Be thankful for problems. If they were less difficult, someone with less ability might have your job.
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BIBLE QUIZ: Fill in the blanks…. Luke 16:10
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"He that can be trusted with very ___________ can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be ____________ with much.
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Photo for 09/18/2007

The beginning, the middle, and the end….

Points To Ponder 09/18/2007

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If you live long enough…..life will trash all your earthly goals.
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BIBLE QUIZ: Fill in the blanks…. Col 3:1-5 (NIV)
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1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your __________ on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.
2 Set your ________ on things above, not on earthly things.
3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.
4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.
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Photo for 09/17/2007

Butterflies at Shawnee Mission Park…

Points To Ponder 09/17/2007

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A can opener knows more about its role in life than most Christians know about their role in the Kingdom of their Lord and Savior……Jesus Christ...
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BIBLE QUIZ: (Pick the correct answer)
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I am the servant of the high priest who was present at the arrest of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. Simon Peter struck me with a sword and cut off my ear.

1. Caiaphas
2. Calamus
3. Malchus
4. Mahalab
5. Machaerus
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Photo for 09/16/2007

For those that love horses…..I shot this out near the park…

Points To Ponder 09/16/2007

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Life is like a coin. You can spend it any way you wish, but you can spend it only once.
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BIBLE QUIZ: Fill in the blank…. John 15:14
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Jesus said, “You are my __________ if you do what I command.”
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Photo for 09/15/2007

We live trapped this BIG woodchuck in our backyard yesterday. He had burrowed under our deck and was obviously taking up residence…..after eating many of the plants on the deck….We transported him out to the park and let him go… :0)

Points To Ponder 09/15/2007

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Constant use will wear away anything, especially old friends.
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BIBLE QUIZ: Fill in the blank…. Galatians 6:10
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Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do _______ to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of ____________. (NIV)
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Photo for 09/14/2007

A Buckeye moth out at Shawnee Mission Park…….

Points To Ponder 09/14/2007

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Unused talents give you no advantage whatever over someone who has no talents at all.
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BIBLE QUIZ: Jonah 1:1-3
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1 Now the word of the LORD came unto Jonah the son of Amittai, saying,
2 Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me.
3 But Jonah rose up to flee unto……….

Where was Jona trying to flee to?
Þ Beersheba
Þ Ashdod
Þ Tarshish
Þ Ekron
Þ Ashkelon
Þ Kirjath-je'arim
Þ Gath
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Photo for 09/13/2007

This photo is one of my personal favorites...... :0) Water Lillie’s in a pond at the Christa McAuliffe Elementary School, Lenexa, Kansas.

Points To Ponder 09/13/2007

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Prepare your body as if you are going to live forever, prepare your soul as if you are going to die tomorrow.
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BIBLE QUIZ: Fill in the blanks Matt 22:34-40.
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Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: "'________ the Lord your God with all your _______ and with all your _________ and with all your _________.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as _______________.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." (NIV)
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Photo for 09/12/2007

For those that love horses…..I shot this out near the park…

Points To Ponder 09/12/2007

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The time to stop talking is BEFORE people stop listening.
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BIBLE QUIZ: Matthew 21:1-7 Who was the prophet that spoke about Jesus coming to them, “gentle and riding on a donkey”? (Hint….his name starts with a “Z”)
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As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, "Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, tell him that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away." This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: "Say to the Daughter of Zion, 'See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.'" The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. They brought the donkey and the colt, placed their cloaks on them, and Jesus sat on them. (NIV)
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Photo for 09/11/2007

Points To Ponder 09/11/2007

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The heart has no secret which our conduct does not reveal.
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BIBLE QUIZ: Matthew 12:34ff
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. . . . For out of the abundance of the heart the ___________ speaks. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. . .
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Photo for 09/10/2007

Today is our 41st wedding anniversary...and here is the tree at Russell Gulch, Colorado that I carved our initials into in 1965 (RM + VV). This photo was taken in 2005.....I saw it again this summer and it is still doing fine..... :O)

Points To Ponder 09/10/2007

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The happiest people don't necessarily have the best of everything. They just MAKE the best of everything.
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BIBLE QUIZ: Who was the person of great faith that Jesus was referring to in the following Scripture? Matthew 8:9-10
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When Jesus heard this, he was astonished and said to those following him, "I tell you the truth, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith. (NIV)
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Photo for 09/09/2007

Some “Red Hot Pokers” out at Shawnee Mission Park, Shawnee Mission, Kansas.

Points To Ponder 09/09/2007

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Imagine there is a bank that credits your account each morning with $86,400. It carries over no balance from day to day. Every evening the bank deletes whatever part of the balance you failed to use during the day. What would you do? Draw out every cent, of course!

Each of us has such a bank. Its name is TIME. Every morning, it credits you with 86,400 seconds. Every night it writes off, as lost, whatever of this you have failed to invest to good purpose. It carries over no balance. It allows no overdraft. Each day it opens a new account for you. Each night it burns the remains of the day. If you fail to use the day's deposits, the loss is yours. There is no going back. There is no drawing against "tomorrow".

You must live in the present on today's deposits. Invest your life in things that will have an eternal value. The clock is running.
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BIBLE QUIZ: Fill in the blanks. Psalm 147:3 (NIV)
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He heals the _______________ and binds up their wounds.
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Here is a web link that you can use to look up the passages in the Bible Quizzes……. http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/
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Photo for 09/08/2007

Here is a rose picture from last year out at Antioch Park, in Overland Park, Kansas.

Points To Ponder 09/08/2007

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We serve God by sharing His Word with others.
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BIBLE QUIZ: Fill in the blanks. Daniel 6:24-28
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brought in and thrown into the lions' den, along with their wives and children. And before they reached the floor of the den, the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones.
25 Then King Darius wrote to all the peoples, nations and men of every language throughout the land: "May you prosper greatly!
26 "I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel. "For he is the ________ God and he endures forever; his kingdom will not ___________, his dominion will never end.
27 He rescues and he saves; he performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions."
28 So Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian. (NIV)
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Photo for 09/072007

Here is another critter …this time in our backyard (woodchuck/groundhog). He ate all of leaves off of the sweet potato vines on our deck…..hummm……

Points To Ponder 09/07/2007

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The Spirit of God uses the Word of God to change the people of God.
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BIBLE QUIZ: Fill in the blanks. Daniel 6:19-24 - What happened to the men who had falsely accused Daniel?
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19 At the first light of dawn, the king got up and hurried to the lions' den.
20 When he came near the den, he called to Daniel in an anguished voice, "Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?"
21 Daniel answered, "O king, live forever!
22 My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, O king."
23 The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.
24 At the king's command, the men who had falsely accused Daniel were . . . . . .
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Photo for 09/06/2007

Here is another Bambi shot from Shawnee Mission Park..

Points To Ponder 09/06/2007

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We need more than a new start; we need a new heart.
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BIBLE QUIZ: Fill in the blanks. Daniel 6:15-18
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15 Then the men went as a group to the king and said to him, "Remember, O king, that according to the law of the Medes and Persians no decree or edict that the king issues can be changed."
16 So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the _________ ____. The king said to Daniel, "May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you!"
17 A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the _____, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the rings of his nobles, so that Daniel's situation might not be changed.
18 Then the king returned to his palace and spent the night without eating and without any entertainment being brought to him. And he could not sleep.
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Photo for 09/05/2007

Here is a close up of a bee on a flower from last year.

Points To Ponder 09/05/2007

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Some think it’s holding on that makes one strong; sometimes it’s letting go. - Sylvia Robinson
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BIBLE QUIZ: Fill in the blanks. Daniel 6:11-14
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11 Then these men went as a group and found Daniel __________ and _________ God for help.
12 So they went to the king and spoke to him about his royal decree: "Did you not publish a decree that during the next thirty days anyone who prays to any god or man except to you, O king, would be thrown into the lions' den?" The king answered, "The decree stands-- in accordance with the laws of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed."
13 Then they said to the king, "Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah, pays no attention to you, O king, or to the decree you put in writing. He still prays three times a day."
14 When the king heard this, he was greatly distressed; he was determined to rescue Daniel and made every effort until sundown to save him. (NIV)
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Photo for 09/04/2007

Another yellow butterfly out at Shawnee Mission Park.

Points To Ponder 09/04/2007

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Anger is the only thing to put off until tomorrow.
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BIBLE QUIZ: Daniel 6:6-9 - What did Daniel do after the decree had been published ?
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6 So the administrators and the satraps went as a group to the king and said: "O King Darius, live forever!
7 The royal administrators, prefects, satraps, advisers and governors have all agreed that the king should issue an edict and enforce the decree that anyone who prays to any god or man during the next thirty days, except to you, O king, shall be thrown into the lions' den.
8 Now, O king, issue the decree and put it in writing so that it cannot be altered-- in accordance with the laws of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed."
9 So King Darius put the decree in writing.
10 Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went . . . .
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Photo for 09/03/2007

We’re a little late with this, but this was from July 4th out at Shawnee Mission Park.

Points To Ponder 09/03/2007

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We learn lessons in the school of suffering that we can learn no other way.
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BIBLE QUIZ: Fill in the blanks. Daniel 6:1-28
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1 It pleased Darius to appoint 120 satraps to rule throughout the kingdom,
2 with three administrators over them, one of whom was Daniel. The satraps were made accountable to them so that the king might not suffer loss.
3 Now Daniel so distinguished himself among the administrators and the satraps by his exceptional qualities that the king planned to set him over the whole ______________.
4 At this, the administrators and the satraps tried to find grounds for charges against Daniel in his conduct of government affairs, but they were unable to do so. They could find no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent.
5 Finally these men said, "We will never find any basis for charges against this man Daniel unless it has something to do with the law of his _____________." (NIV)
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Photo for 09/02/2007

A Rose of Sharon bush in our yard.

Points To Ponder 09/02/2007

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God chooses what we go through: we choose how we go through it.
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BIBLE QUIZ: Fill in the blanks. Daniel 5:22-31
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22 (And Daniel said) "But you his son, O Belshazzar, have not humbled yourself, though you knew all this.
23 Instead, you have set yourself up against the Lord of heaven. You had the goblets from his temple brought to you, and you and your nobles, your wives and your concubines drank wine from them. You praised the gods of silver and gold, of bronze, iron, wood and stone, which cannot see or hear or understand. But you did not honor the God who holds in his hand your life and all your ways.
24 Therefore he sent the hand that wrote the inscription.
25 "This is the inscription that was written: MENE, MENE, TEKEL, PARSIN
26 "This is what these words mean: Mene: God has __________ the days of your reign and brought it to an end.
27 Tekel: You have been___________ on the scales and found wanting.
28 Peres: Your kingdom is __________ and given to the Medes and Persians."
29 Then at Belshazzar's command, Daniel was clothed in purple, a gold chain was placed around his neck, and he was proclaimed the third highest ruler in the kingdom.
30 That very night Belshazzar, king of the Babylonians, was slain,
31 and Darius the Mede took over the kingdom, at the age of sixty-two. (NIV)
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Photo for 09/01/2007

A yellow butterfly on a sunflower out at Shawnee Mission Park, Shawnee Mission, Kansas.

Points To Ponder 09/01/2007

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When a person’s temper gets the best of him, it often reveals the worst of him.
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BIBLE QUIZ: Fill in the blanks. Daniel 5:6-13
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6 His face (King Belshazzar) turned pale and he was so frightened that his knees knocked together and his legs gave way.
7 The king called out for the enchanters, astrologers and diviners to be brought and said to these wise men of Babylon, "Whoever reads this writing and tells me what it means will be clothed in purple and have a gold chain placed around his neck, and he will be made the third highest ruler in the kingdom."
8 Then all the king's wise men came in, but they could not read the writing or tell the king what it meant.
9 So King Belshazzar became even more terrified and his face grew more pale. His nobles were baffled.
10 The queen, hearing the voices of the king and his nobles, came into the banquet hall. "O king, live forever!" she said. "Don't be alarmed! Don't look so pale!
11 There is a man in your kingdom who has the spirit of the holy gods in him. In the time of your father he was found to have insight and intelligence and wisdom like that of the gods. King Nebuchadnezzar your father-- your father the king, I say-- appointed him chief of the magicians, enchanters, astrologers and diviners.
12 This man Daniel, whom the king called _____________, was found to have a keen mind and knowledge and understanding, and also the ability to interpret dreams, explain riddles and solve difficult problems. Call for Daniel, and he will tell you what the writing means."
13 So Daniel was brought before the king………………..(NIV)
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