Photo for 01/01/2008

Happy New Year! Shot at Shawnee Mission Park…

Greetings and Happy New Year…. For the next few months we are going to do a change of pace in regards to the photos on “Points To Ponder”. Starting tomorrow we will look at a sequence of seven shots of the AWESOME sunset of 12/19/2007. Then we will leave Shawnee Mission Park behind and head to Colorado and tour many of the ghost towns and scenic areas in the southwest corner of the state. Many of these are brand new photos from our vacation this summer. Actually I have separated the photos into 10 selected areas.

Points To Ponder 01/01/2008

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PTP:The present is what slips by us while we're pondering the past and worrying about the future.
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BIBLE QUIZ: Fill in the blank. Luke 2:51-52 (NIV)
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51 Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother _______________ all these things in her heart. 52 And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.
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Photo for 12/31/2007

At Shawnee Mission Park . .12/28/2007

Points To Ponder 12/31/2007

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PTP: Hardening of the heart ages people more quickly than hardening of the arteries.
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BIBLE QUIZ: Fill in the blank. Luke 2:49-50 (NIV)
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49 "Why were you searching for me?" he asked. "Didn't you know I had to be in my __________ house?" 50 But they did not understand what he was saying to them.
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Photo for 12/30/2007

In our backyard . . .12/28/2007

Points To Ponder 12/30/2007

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PTP:When you have nothing left but God, then for the first time you become aware God is enough.
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BIBLE QUIZ: Fill in the blank. Luke 2:41-48 (NIV)
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41 Every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover. 42 When he (Jesus) was _________ years old, they went up to the Feast, according to the custom. 43 After the Feast was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. 44 Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. 45 When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, "Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you."
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Photo for 12/29/2007

Out at Shawnee Mission Park . . .12/28/2007

Points To Ponder 12/29/2007

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PTP:The root of the word MISERABLE is MISER.
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BIBLE QUIZ: Fill in the blank. Luke 2:39-40 (NIV)
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39 When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of _____________. 40 And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.
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Photo for 12/28/2007

Out at Shawnee Mission Park . . .

Points To Ponder 12/28/2007

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PTP: God won't ask what you did to help yourself. He will ask what you did to help others.
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BIBLE QUIZ: Fill in the blank. Luke 2:36-38 (NIV)
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36 There was also a prophetess, _____, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. 38 Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.
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Photo for 12/27/2007

Out at Shawnee Mission Park . . .

Points To Ponder 12/27/2007

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PTP: If ever you make a mistake of judgment, let it be on the side of mercy.
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BIBLE QUIZ: Fill in the blank. Luke 2:15-18 (NIV)
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27 Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:

29 "Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. 30 For my eyes have seen your salvation, 31 which you have prepared in the sight of all people, 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel." 33 The child's father and mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: "This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, 35 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own ______ too."
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Photo for 12/26/2007

The “outdoor’ facilities at the Legler Barn Museum here in Lenexa. KS…

Points To Ponder 12/26/2007

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PTP: Most people are willing to change, not because they see the light, but because they feel the heat!
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BIBLE QUIZ: Fill in the blank. Luke 2:15-18 (NIV)
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21 On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise him, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he had been conceived.

22 When the time of their purification according to the Law of Moses had been completed, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23(as it is written in the Law of the Lord, "Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord"), 24 and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: "a pair of doves or two young pigeons."

25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem called ___________, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ.
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Photo for 12/25/2007

Merry Christmas...

Photo for 12/24/2007

Here is a scratch built railroad model I did a couple of years ago for a Christmas scene (I also painted the backdrop).

Points To Ponder 12/24/2007

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PTP: God loves us the way we are, but He loves us too much to leave us that way. - Leighton Ford
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BIBLE QUIZ: Fill in the blank. Luke 2:15-18 (NIV)
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19 But Mary ______________ up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
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Photo for 12/23/2007

Out on our front porch this evening (12/22/2007)…The flowers are fake but the snow is real…

Points To Ponder 12/23/2007

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PTP: There’s no wrong place to share the gospel…
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BIBLE QUIZ: Fill in the blank. Luke 2:15-18 (NIV)
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15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." 16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were __________ at what the shepherds said to them.
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Photo for 12/22/2007

A very icy angel wind chime on our back deck….

Points To Ponder 12/22/2007

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PTP:The best mathematical equation I have ever seen: is…….. 1 cross + 3 nails = 4 given.
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BIBLE QUIZ: Fill in the blank. Luke 2:13-14 (NIV)
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13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly ______ appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14 "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
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Photo for 12/21/2007

Out at Shawnee Mission Park….

Points To Ponder 12/21/2007

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PTP: A wonderful life is yours when you know the gift of Christmas.
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BIBLE QUIZ: Fill in the blank. Luke 2:8-12 (NIV)
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8 And there were ____________ living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
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Photo for 12/20/2007

Out at Shawnee Mission Park….

Points To Ponder 12/20/2007

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PTP: To find true joy at Christmas, look to Jesus.
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BIBLE QUIZ: Fill in the blanks. Luke 2:5-7 (NIV)
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5 He [Joseph] went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a ____________, because there was no room for them in the _________.
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Photo for 12/19/2007

As this year comes to a close we are reminded of the blessing in our lives, and family and friends are a part of those blessings we count especially dear. The greatest blessing is the reason for the season called Christmas! Jesus was born of a virgin to die on a cross so that we can have the greatesst gift of all ...forgiveness for our sins and eternity in heaven with Him. We pray that you have accepted this wonderful gift.

Merry Christmas from
Ron and Vicki Morse

Photo for 12/18/2007

Bench on our back deck…..

Points To Ponder 12/18/2007

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PTP: To make the most of Christmas focus on Christ.
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BIBLE QUIZ: Fill in the blank. Luke 2:1-4 (NIV)
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In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2(This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to his own town to register. 4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to _____________ the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.
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Photo for 12/17/2007

A lone duck contemplates a jump into the icy waters at the lake at Shawnee Mission Park…

Points To Ponder 12/17/2007

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PTP: It is not the greatness of my trials but the littleness of my faith that causes me to complain.
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BIBLE QUIZ: Fill in the blank. 2 John 7-11 (NIV)
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7 Many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Any such person is the deceiver and the __________ 8 Watch out that you do not lose what you have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully. 9 Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take him into your house or welcome him. 11 Anyone who welcomes him shares in his wicked work.
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Photo for 12/16/2007

Close to our house…

Points To Ponder 12/16/2007

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PTP: People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care.
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BIBLE QUIZ: Fill in the blanks. Jude 24-25 (NIV)
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24 To him who is able to keep you from __________ and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy- 25 to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.
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Photo for 12/15/2007

In our front yard…

Points To Ponder 12/15/2007

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PTP: What's true of biology is also true of faith: If it isn't growing, it's probably dead.
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BIBLE QUIZ: Fill in the blanks. 2 Peter 3:8-9 (NIV)
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8 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a ___________years, and a __________ years are like a day. 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
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Photo for 12/14/2007

Winter out at….Shawnee Mission Park…

Points To Ponder 12/14/2007

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PTP: To give meaning to Christmas, give Christ first place in your heart.
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BIBLE QUIZ: Fill in the blanks. Eph 4:25-28 (NIV)
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25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. 26 "In your anger do not sin": Do not let the _____ go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a _________. 28 He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.
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Photo for 12/13/2007

This was taken just a half mile from our house…

Points To Ponder 12/13/2007

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PTP: There is a vast difference between putting your nose in other people's business and putting your heart in other people's problems.
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BIBLE QUIZ: Fill in the blank. Heb 4:14-16 (NIV)
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14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our ___________________, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are-yet was without sin. 16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
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Photo for 12/12/2007

Points To Ponder 12/12/2007

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PTP: He who seeks a friend without a fault remains without one.
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BIBLE QUIZ: Fill in the blank. Rom 4:7-8 (NIV)
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7 "Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. 8 Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count ________ him."
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Photo for 12/11/2007

We are currently in the middle of a MAJOR ICE STORM…This was taken a year or so ago…but this is what it will look like in the morning. Photo taken in our backyard..

Points To Ponder 12/11/2007

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PTP: Spend yourself for others this Christmas.
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BIBLE QUIZ: Fill in the blank. 2 Tim 2:11-13 (NIV)
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If we died with him, we will also live with him; 12 if we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us; 13 if we are faithless, he will remain ______________, for he cannot disown himself.
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Photo for 12/10/2007

Close to Shawnee Mission Park...

Points To Ponder 12/10/2007

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PTP: Men who try something and fail are infinitely better than those who try nothing and succeed.
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BIBLE QUIZ: Fill in the blank 1 John 4:16-18
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God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. 17 In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him. 18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out _______, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
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Photo for 12/09/2007

Rail fence in the snow….

Points To Ponder 12/09/2007

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PTP: The best thing to do behind a person's back--is pat it!
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BIBLE QUIZ: Matt 10:2-4 One of the 12 disciples (apostles) was originally a tax collector. He wrote one of the Gospels. (NIV)
What was his name? _ _ _ _ _ _ _
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2 These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John;
3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus;
4 Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. (NIV)
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Photo for 12/08/2007

A fawn experiences its first winter out at….Shawnee Mission Park…This was not shot today…but we have fresh snow on the ground and if I had gone out to the park I’m sure this is what I would have found…

Points To Ponder 12/08/2007

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PTP: Life was a lot simpler when we honored father and mother rather than all the major credit cards.
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BIBLE QUIZ: Fill in the blank 1 John 3:1-3 (NIV)
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3:1 How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called ____________ of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2 Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. 3 Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure.
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Photo for 12/07/2007

Icicles on our house…and a drop of water in mid air….

Points To Ponder 12/07/2007

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PTP: An atheist cannot find God for the same reason a thief cannot find a policeman.
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BIBLE QUIZ: Fill in the blank Jude 22-25 (NIV)
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22 Be merciful to those who doubt; 23 snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear-hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.

24 To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without _________ and with great ________- 25 to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.
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Photo for 12/06/2007

A fawn experiences its first winter out at….Shawnee Mission Park… :0)

Points To Ponder 12/06/2007

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PTP: It is impossible for that man to despair who remembers that his Helper is omnipotent.
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BIBLE QUIZ: Fill in the blank Peter 1:10-16 (NIV)
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10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, 11 trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. 12 It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things. 13 Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-________; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. 14 As obedient children, do not conform to the ________ ____________ you had when you lived in ignorance. 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy."
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Photo for 12/05/2007

Close to our house….

Points To Ponder 12/05/2007

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PTP: Joy thrives best in the soil of thankfulness.
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BIBLE QUIZ: Fill in the blank 1 John 2:15-17 (NIV)
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15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For everything in the world-the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does-comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives ___________.
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Photo for 12/04/2007

In our backyard………………….a few years ago...

Points To Ponder 12/04/2007

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PTP: The price of greatness is taking responsibility.
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BIBLE QUIZ: Fill in the blank 2 Thess 1:5-10 (NIV)
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6 God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you 7 and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels. 8 He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9 They will be punished with _____________ destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the majesty of his power 10 on the day he comes to be glorified in his holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed.
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Photo for 12/03/2007

Okay…It’s December….While we have only had a dusting of snow so far it seemed appropriate to start some winter pictures as we head towards Christmas…This was out at…you guessed it…Shawnee Mission Park… I think I should be their “Official Photographer” :0)

Points To Ponder 12/03/2007

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PTP: Men and pins are useless when they lose their heads.
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BIBLE QUIZ: Fill in the blank 1 Corinthians 3:18-20 (NIV)
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8 Do not deceive yourselves. If any one of you thinks he is wise by the standards of this age, he should become a "_______" so that he may become wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God's sight. As it is written: "He catches the wise in their craftiness"; 20 and again, "The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile."
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Photo for 12/02/2007

Out at Shawnee Mission Park…What hunters dream about…a really BIG buck..

Points To Ponder 12/02/2007

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PTP: It isn't whether you get knocked down, it's whether you get back up.- Vince Lombardi
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BIBLE QUIZ: Fill in the blanks Proverbs 3:11-12 (NIV)
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My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline and do not resent his rebuke, because the LORD disciplines those he _______, as a father the son he _________ in.
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Photo for 12/01/2007

It's hunting season...but the only hunting you can do out at Shawnee Mission Park is with a camera... :0)