Photo for 05/01/2010

Some views from Rainbow Point...

Points To Ponder 05/01/2010

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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Heaven goes by favor: if it went by merit, you would stay out, and your dog would go in.
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BIBLE QUIZ:
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Acts 17:22-23

Who declared the “Good News” of the gospel from a place called Mars’ Hill?
Where is Mars’ Hill?
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Photo for 04/30/2010

Some views from Rainbow Point - Our brochure says that 1.7 million people visit Bryce Canyon each year (considerably less the South Rim of the Grand Canyon!). Our first stop was Sunset Point, then on to Inspiration Point, Bryce Point, Paria View, Natural Bridge, Ponderosa Canyon, and Rainbow Point (the end of the road which is 17 miles from the park entrance at an elevation 9,115 feet and a temperature of about 75 degrees). From Rainbow Point you can see 90 plus miles into New Mexico. On the way back we stopped at Black Birch Canyon, Agua Canyon, and Swamp Canyon.

Points To Ponder 04/30/2010

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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Happiness is the result of circumstances, but joy endures in spite of circumstances.
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BIBLE QUIZ:
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1Thessalonians 5:18 (KJV) (Fill in the blanks)

In everything give _________: for this is the ______ of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
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Photo for 04/29/2010

Black Birch Point en route to Rainbow Point... (near Bryce Canyon, Utah)

Points To Ponder 04/29/2010

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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The heart has no secret which our conduct does not reveal.
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BIBLE QUIZ:
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2 Corinthians 12:10 (NIV) (Fill in the blanks)

That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in ____________, in insults, in hardships, in _______________, in difficulties. For when I am _______, then I am strong.
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Photo for 04/28/2010

Agua point en route to Rainbow Point... (near Bryce Canyon, Utah)

Points To Ponder 04/28/2010

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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We are told to let our light shine, and if it does, we won't need to tell anybody it does. Lighthouses don't fire cannons to call attention to their shining- they just shine. - D.L. Moody
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BIBLE QUIZ:
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Who am I? In the standard arrangement of the books of the Old Testament my book follows the book of Joel...

I was the shepherd-prophet of the Old Testament who denounced the people of the northern kingdom of Israel for their idol worship, graft and corruption, and oppression of the poor. Although I prophesied to the Northern Kingdom, I was a native of Judah, Israel's sister nation to the south. I came from the village of Tekoa which situated about 16 kilometers (10 miles) south of Jerusalem.

1. Joshua
2. Jeremiah
3. Amos
4. Jonah
5. Micah
6. Daniel
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Photo for 04/27/2010

From Bryce Canyon we next pass Natural Bridge en route to Rainbow Point...

Points To Ponder 04/27/2010

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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God teaches us how to really love by putting us around unlovable people.
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BIBLE QUIZ:
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Joshua 24:15 (Fill in the blanks)

But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for ___ and ___ household, we will serve the _______." (NIV)
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Photo for 04/26/2010

Bryce Canyon, Utah... from Paria View....

Points To Ponder 04/26/2010

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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Jealousy is one of the hardest things on earth to see in yourself. - R.T. Kendall
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BIBLE QUIZ:
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I Corinthians 1:10 (The Message) (Fill in the blanks)

I’ll put this as urgently as I can; you must ______ _________ with each other.
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Photo for 04/25/2010

Bryce Canyon, Utah... from Paria View....

Points To Ponder 04/25/2010

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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Exhortation without explanation leads to frustration. - Rick Warren
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BIBLE QUIZ:
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Proverbs 30:5 (NIV) (Fill in the blanks)

Every ________ of God is ______________.
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Photo for 04/24/2010

Bryce Canyon, Utah... from Bryce Point...

Points To Ponder 04/24/2010

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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Each Sunday, church pews are filled with members who are doing nothing with their faith except “keeping” it. - Rick Warren
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BIBLE QUIZ:
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Romans 15:7 (NLT) (Fill in the blanks)

Accept each other just as ______ has _________ you; then ______ will be glorified.
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Photo for 04/23/2010

Bryce Canyon, Utah...

Points To Ponder 04/23/2010

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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For the truly faithful, no miracle is necessary; for those who must doubt, no miracle is sufficient. - Anne Graham Lotz
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BIBLE QUIZ:
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Romans 12:21 (NIV) (Fill in the blanks)

Do not be _________ with evil, but ___________ evil with good.
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Photo for 04/22/2010

Bryce Canyon, Utah...

Points To Ponder 04/22/2010

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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The goal of our faith is to glorify God.
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BIBLE QUIZ:
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Psalm 119:105 (Fill in the blanks)

Your word is a ______ to my feet and a light for my ______. (NIV)

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Photo for 04/21/2010

Bryce Canyon, Utah...

Points To Ponder 04/21/2010

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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Christian life consists of faith and charity. - Martin Luther
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BIBLE QUIZ:
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Hebrews 3:1 (Fill in the blank)

Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on _______, the apostle and high _______ whom we confess. (NIV)
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Photo for 04/20/2010

Bryce Canyon, Utah...

Points To Ponder 04/20/2010

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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You cannot talk about character without talking about habits. - Rick Warren
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BIBLE QUIZ:
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Who am I…… (see the 33rd book of the Old Testament)

I was an Old Testament prophet and author of a book of the Bible. I was a younger contemporary of the great prophet Isaiah. I was from Moresheth Gath, a town in southern Judah. I spoke out strongly against those who claimed to be prophets of the Lord but who used their position to lead the people of Judah into false hopes and further errors: "The sun shall go down on the prophets, and the day shall be dark for them" My love for God would not allow me to offer false hopes to those who were under His sentence of judgment.

1. MALACHI
2. JEREMIAH
3. AMOS
4. MICAH
5. JONAH
6. EZRA
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Photo for 04/19/2010

Headed for Bryce Canyon, Utah...here we are passing through Red Canyon en route to Bryce...

Points To Ponder 04/19/2010

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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If it goes without saying, then don't say it.
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BIBLE QUIZ:
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Psalm 100:2 (Fill in the blanks)

2 Serve the LORD with _________: come before his presence with _________. (KJV)
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Photo for 04/18/2010

Headed for Bryce Canyon, Utah...here we are passing through Red Canyon en route to Bryce...

Photo for 04/18/2010

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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Wishing will never be a substitute for prayer. - Ed Cole.
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BIBLE QUIZ:
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1 Corinthians 6:20 (NIV) (Fill in the blank)

20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your ________.
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Photo for 04/17/2010

Groundhog out at Shawnee Mission Park...

Points To Ponder 04/17/2010

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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"Imagine yourself as a living house. God comes in to rebuild that house. At first, perhaps, you can understand what He is doing. He is getting the drains right and stopping the leaks in the roof and so on; you knew that those jobs needed doing and so you are not surprised. But presently He starts knocking the house about in a way that hurts abominably and does not seem to make any sense. What on earth is He up to? The explanation is that He is building quite a different house from the one you thought of - throwing out a new wing here, putting on an extra floor there, running up towers, making courtyards. You thought you were being made into a decent little cottage: but He is building a palace. He intends to come and live in it Himself." - C.S. Lewis
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BIBLE QUIZ:
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(Fill in the blank)

Galatians 6:10

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 04/16/2010

Columbine in our front yard...

Points To Ponder 04/16/2010

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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Dollars and sense should go together.
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BIBLE QUIZ:
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How many times did Paul receive a beating of 39 lashes from the Jews? See 2 Corinthians 11:24
1. Once
2. Twice
3. Three times
4. Four times
5. Five Times
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Photo for 04/15/2010

More flowers at the Legler Barn Museum....

Points To Ponder 04/15/2010

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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The idea which shuts out the Second Coming from our minds, the idea of the world slowly ripening to perfection, is a myth, not a generalization from experience. - C.S. Lewis
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BIBLE QUIZ:
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Fill in the blanks……………..

Matthew 20:28

….just as the Son of Man did not come to be __________, but to _________, and to give his life as a ransom for many." (NIV)
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Photo for 04/14/2010

More tulips at the Legler Barn Museum....

Points To Ponder 04/14/2010

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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As Christians we’re called to belong, not just believe. - Rick Warren
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BIBLE QUIZ:
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Who am I? See Romans 16:22...

I was the scribe or secretary to whom the apostle Paul dictated his letter to the Romans.
Pick One:
Tertius
Theophilus
Tiberius
Tertullus
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Photo for 04/13/2010

Tulips at the Legler Barn Museum....

Points To Ponder 04/13/2010

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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Good preparation for tomorrow includes good use of today.
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BIBLE QUIZ:
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Fill in the blanks…………

Hebrews 11:6

And without _______ it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that He ________ and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. (NIV)
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Photo for 04/12/2010

Flowering tree at a school near us on 4/11/2010... I shot this with a Canon PowerShot SD800 Digital ELPH (a point and shoot camera) in macro mode. The metadata on the photo says I shot it at f/2.8 at 1/160 of a second with the lens set at 4.6mm (very wide angle).....Basically I pointed and shot except I chose the macro setting... :0). I edited the photo in Adobe PhotoShop CS4.

Points To Ponder 04/12/2010

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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We become whatever we are committed to. - Rick Warren
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BIBLE QUIZ:
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Who am I…………? ...see Acts 8:9-24

I was a sorcerer (also called a magician). My feats were so impressive that the people of Samaria declared, "This man is the great power of God" and followed me. But when Philip the evangelist preached, the Samaritans believed and were baptized. I tried to buy spiritual powers from the apostle Peter.
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Photo for 04/11/2010

Bleeding hearts in our backyard on 4/10/2010...Shot @ f22, 1/50 second, ISO 400, Lens set to 480mm...........

Points To Ponder 04/11/2010

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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He who passively accepts evil is as much involved in it as he who helps to perpetrate it. He who accepts evil without protesting against it is really cooperating with it. - Martin Luther King, Jr.
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BIBLE QUIZ:
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Who am I…………? See Acts chapter 10

I was a Roman soldier stationed in Caesarea who was the first recorded Gentile convert to Christianity. I was a God-fearing man who was strongly attracted to the Jewish teaching of the belief in one God. God sent a heavenly vision both to me and to Simon Peter so I sent men to get Simon Peter. While Peter was still preaching to me and my household, "the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the Word", And Peter commanded us to be baptized in the name of the Lord.
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Photo for 04/10/2010

Another flowering tree...

Points To Ponder 04/10/2010

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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God has a greater purpose than our immediate comfort. - Anne Graham Lotz
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BIBLE QUIZ:
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Galatians 5:22-6:1 lists NINE “Fruits of the Spirit”. Insert the missing SEVENTH fruit (these are based on the NIV translation):

1. LOVE
2. JOY
3. PEACE
4. PATIENCE
5. KINDNESS
6. GOODNESS
7. _____________
8. GENTLENESS
9. SELF-CONTROL
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Photo for 04/09/2010

Redbud trees near our house...

Points To Ponder 04/09/2010

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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"If you look for truth, you may find comfort in the end; if you look for comfort you will not get either comfort or truth only soft soap and wishful thinking to begin, and in the end, despair." - C.S. Lewis
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BIBLE QUIZ:
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Revelation 1:1-6

1 The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,
2 who testifies to everything he saw-- that is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ.
3 Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.
4 John, To the seven churches in the province of Asia: Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne,
5 and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood,
6 and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father-- to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen. (NIV)

Which of the following were NOT listed with the SEVEN churches mentioned above? Remove three wrong answers (Revelation chapters 2 & 3):
1. Ephesus
2. Laodicea
3. Sardis
4. Corinth
5. Smyrna
6. Galatia
7. Pergamum
8. Thyatira
9. Philadelphia
10. Antioch
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Photo for 04/08/2010

More flowering trees.....

Points To Ponder 04/08/2010

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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What can be more foolish than to think that all this rare fabric of heaven and earth could come by chance, when all the skill of art is not able to make an oyster! - Jeremy Taylor
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BIBLE QUIZ:
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Who was he….. For the answer see Acts 24:27ff

He was the successor of FELIX as Roman procurator, or governor, of Judea. After he arrived at Caesarea, he went to Jerusalem and met with the high priest and other Jewish leaders. They informed him of Paul's confinement in prison. Paul had been left in prison when Felix was removed as procurator by the Roman authorities.

1. HEROD AGRIPPA
2. PILATE, PONTIUS
3. FESTUS, PORCIUS
4. JOSEPHUS
5. VITELLIUS
6. CLAUDIA PROCULA
7. TIBERIUS
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Photo for 04/07/2010

Bradford pear trees at the entrance to “Theater In The Park” at Shawnee Mission Park...I shot these a little before noon today (4/5/2010)...Glad I shot them today as the monsoon that came through this evening probably wiped them out.

Points To Ponder 04/07/2010

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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"Love is not affectionate feeling, but a steady wish for the loved person's ultimate good as far as it can be obtained." - C.S. Lewis
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BIBLE QUIZ:
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1 Corinthians 14:20

Brothers, stop thinking like ___________. In regard to evil be __________, but in your thinking be ____________.
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Photo for 04/06/2010

Bradford pear blossoms...

Points To Ponder 04/06/2010

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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The aim of life is appreciation; there is no sense in not appreciating things; and there is no sense in having more of them if you have less appreciation of them. - G.K. Chesterton
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BIBLE QUIZ:
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Who am I…….See 3 John 1:1ff

The Apostle John addressed his third letter to me. He commended me for my generosity and faithful service.

1. Gaham
2. Sopater
3. Gerber
4. Gallim
5. Gaius
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Photo for 04/05/2010

Redbud blossoms...

Points To Ponder 04/05/2010

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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One great effect of prayer is that it enables the soul to command the body. By obedience I make my body submissive to my soul, but prayer puts my soul in command of my body. - Oswald Chambers
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BIBLE QUIZ:
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Who am I…….

I was a Christian disciple living in Damascus at the time of Paul's conversion. In a vision the Lord told me of Paul's conversion and directed me to go to Paul and welcome him into the church. Aware of Paul's reputation as a persecutor of Christians, I reacted with alarm. When the Lord informed me that Paul was "a chosen vessel of Mine", I went to Paul and laid his hands upon him. Paul's sight was restored immediately, and he received the Holy Spirit and was baptized.

Pick the correct answer……….

1. Annas
2. Antipas
3. Aphek
4. Giddion
5. Ananias
6. Laban
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Photo for 04/04/2010

Points To Ponder 04/03/2010

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May you have a blessed Easter…..and may we never forget what the day is really all about….Ron & Vicki
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BIBLE QUIZ:
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John 20:1-17 (NIV)

Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don't know where they have put him!" So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. Then Simon Peter, who was behind him, arrived and went into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, as well as the burial cloth that had been around Jesus' head. The cloth was folded up by itself, separate from the linen. Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. (They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.) Then the disciples went back to their homes, but Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus' body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot. They asked her, "Woman, why are you crying?" "They have taken my Lord away," she said, "and I don't know where they have put him." At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus. "Woman," he said, "why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?" Thinking he was the gardener, she said, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him." Jesus said to her, "Mary." She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, "Rabboni!" (which means Teacher). Jesus said, "Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, 'I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'
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Photo for 04/03/2010

Redbud blossoms...

Points To Ponder 04/03/2010

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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Do not make prayer a monologue. Make it a conversation.
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BIBLE QUIZ:
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Philippians 2:3

Do nothing out of _________ ambition or ______ conceit, but in humility consider others ________ than yourselves. (NIV)
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For the answer see Luke 1:5ff (ZACHARIAS & ELIZABETH)
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Photo for 04/02/2010

Star Magnolia tree in my neighbor’s yard...

Points To Ponder 04/02/2010

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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God always answers in the depths, never in the shallows of our soul.
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BIBLE QUIZ:
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Name this couple:

He was the father of John the Baptist and a priest of the division of Abijah. His wife was one "of the daughters of Aaron" meaning she also was of priestly descent. Although both "were... righteous before God, they had no child, because the wife was barren". However, God performed a miracle, and the wife conceived the child who was to be the forerunner of the Messiah.

BONUS POINT: Who was the significant visitor that came by to visit when the wife was six months pregnant?
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For the answers to yesterday’s quiz see Rom. 16:3; 1 Cor. 16:19 (Aquila and Priscilla) Aquila was a tentmaker.
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