Photo for 02/01/2012

Climbing higher and higher...

Points To Ponder 02/01/2011

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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Doing the right thing poorly still beats doing the wrong thing well. God looks at your heart.
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BIBLE QUIZ: THE GOSPEL ACCOUNTS OF THE LIFE OF JESUS
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39 Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. 40 On reaching the place, he said to them, "Pray that you will not fall into temptation." 41 He withdrew about a stone's throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, 42 "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done." 43 An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. 44 And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of ________ falling to the ground.

Luke chapter 22 (NIV)
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Photo for 01/31/2012

We have started our trip up Pikes Peak on 5/31/2007.....

Points To Ponder 01/31/2011

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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Little people belittle people. Great people make people feel great.
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BIBLE QUIZ: THE GOSPEL ACCOUNTS OF THE LIFE OF JESUS
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At what is commonly referred to as the “Last Supper” what did Jesus do that showed His humility and at the same time gave us an example “servant hood” that we should follow? (pick one)

1.) He prepared the entire Passover meal and served each of the disciples in turn from the greatest to the least.
2.) He poured wine into the cup of each disciple and broke off a piece of bread for each one to eat.
3.) He poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around Him.

John 13:1-17
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Photo for 01/30/2012

Starting with today we are going to look at some pictures I took 5/31/2007 of a trip to the top of Pikes Peak, Colorado...bear in mind that these photos were shot the day before June 1st :0) In this photo we can see some fresh snowfall on as we get ready to begin our ascent...

Points To Ponder 01/30/2011

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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It is a high, solemn, almost awful thought for every individual man, that his earthly influence, which has a commencement, will never, through all ages, have an end. - James H. Aughey
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BIBLE QUIZ: THE GOSPEL ACCOUNTS OF THE LIFE OF JESUS
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Then one of the Twelve went to the chief priests asked, "What are you willing to give me if I hand him (Jesus) over to you?"

Who was the disciple the betrayed Jesus?
1.) One of the physical half-brothers of Jesus named Judas.
2.) Judas the brother of James and probably the writer of the Epistle of Jude.
3.) The one called Judas Iscariot.

Matthew 26:14-16
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Photo for 01/29/2012

Caught in the act....a tree rat (a.k.a. squirrel)...climbing the pole to raid our BIRD feeder....

Points To Ponder 01/29/2011

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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Mercy is like the rainbow, which God hath set in the clouds; it never shines after it is night. If we refuse mercy here, we shall have justice in eternity. - Jeremy Taylor
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BIBLE QUIZ: THE GOSPEL ACCOUNTS OF THE LIFE OF JESUS
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While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of a man known as Simon the Leper, (pick one)

1.) a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table.
2.) a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive frankincense, which she poured on his feet as he was sitting at the table.
3.) a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive hyssop, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table.

Matthew 26:6-13
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Photo for 01/28/2012

In my parents backyard in Colorado in the early 1970’s...scanned from a slide I took....near Blackhawk, Colorado...

Points To Ponder 01/28/2011

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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We aren’t worthy to be justified, but God makes us worthy by justifying us.
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BIBLE QUIZ: THE GOSPEL ACCOUNTS OF THE LIFE OF JESUS
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On one occasion Jesus made the statement, “You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel.”

He made this statement in regards to the:
1. Pharisees and the Sadducees in regards to their teaching about the Sabbath day.
2. Blind Bartimaeus (that is, the Son of Timaeus).
3. Disciples when they wanted to call down fire on some that were preaching the good news, but were not a part of their group.
4. Teachers of the law and Pharisees

Matthew 23:23-24

Photo for 01/27/2012

Near our house... :0)

Points To Ponder 01/27/2011

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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Denying God so I don’t have to worship him is like closing my eyes to eliminate the sun.
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BIBLE QUIZ: THE GOSPEL ACCOUNTS OF THE LIFE OF JESUS
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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?"

What was the answer that Jesus gave? (pick one)
• Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
• Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.
• Love your neighbor as yourself.

Matthew 22:34-39
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Photo for 01/26/2012

Another winter sunset at Shawnee Mission Park... :0)

Points To Ponder 01/26/2011

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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Have you ever noticed? Those angered by the certainty of our beliefs are always certain we’re wrong.
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BIBLE QUIZ: THE GOSPEL ACCOUNTS OF THE LIFE OF JESUS
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The Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to Jesus with a question. "Teacher," they said, "Moses told us that if a man dies without having children, his brother must marry the widow and have children for him. Now there were seven brothers among us. The first one married and died, and since he had no children, he left his wife to his brother. The same thing happened to the second and third brother, right on down to the seventh. Finally, the woman died. Now then, at the resurrection, whose wife will she be of the seven, since all of them were married to her?"

How did Jesus answer this question? (pick one)
• She will be the wife of the first brother since she was married to him first.
• She will not be married to any of the brothers.
• She will be the wife of the seventh brother because she was married to him last.

Matthew 22:23-32
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Photo for 01/25/2012

Winter sunset at Shawnee Mission Park... :0)

Points To Ponder 01/25/2011

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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Wrong-headed isn’t wrong-hearted. Godly people often disagree. What's ungodly is to presume motives and belittle a brother.
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BIBLE QUIZ: THE GOSPEL ACCOUNTS OF THE LIFE OF JESUS
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Then the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap Him in his words. They sent their disciples to Him along with the Herodians. "Teacher," they said, "we know You are a man of integrity and that You teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren't swayed by men, because You pay no attention to who they are. Tell us then, what is Your opinion? Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?"

What was the answer that Jesus gave to their question?

Matthew 22:15-22
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Photo for 01/24/2012

Sunset on the frozen lake a Shawnee Mission Park... :0)

Points To Ponder 01/24/2011

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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You are as close to God as you choose to be.
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BIBLE QUIZ: THE GOSPEL ACCOUNTS OF THE LIFE OF JESUS
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“Then the mother of Zebedee's sons came to Jesus with her sons and, kneeling down, asked a favor of him.”

Who were her sons and what was the favor she asked of Jesus?

Matthew 20:20-24 and Matthew 4:21-22
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Photo for 01/23/2012

Dark-eyed Junco in the snow in our backyard... :0)

Points To Ponder 01/23/2011

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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Do not have your concert first, and then tune your instrument afterwards. Begin the day with the Word of God and prayer, and get first of all into harmony with Him. - Hudson Taylor
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BIBLE QUIZ: THE GOSPEL ACCOUNTS OF THE LIFE OF JESUS
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The statement, "So the last will be first, and the first will be last." is found in a story about: (pick one)
• A wood pile
• A buried treasure
• A landowner
• A flock of sheep

Matthew 20:1-16
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Photo for 01/22/2012

Bambi’s mom in the snow at Shawnee Mission Park.. :0)

Points To Ponder 01/22/2011

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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God is willing to patiently wait and do nothing while I learn that many of my problems are unsolvable without Him.
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BIBLE QUIZ: THE GOSPEL ACCOUNTS OF THE LIFE OF JESUS
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Jesus said, “it is easier for a _ _ _ _ _ to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”

Matthew 19:24-25
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Photo for 01/21/2012

A fawn in the snow at Shawnee Mission Park.. :0)

Points To Ponder 01/21/2011

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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WISDOM begins by asking questions. WORK begins by setting priorities. WORSHIP begins by sitting in silence.
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BIBLE QUIZ: THE GOSPEL ACCOUNTS OF THE LIFE OF JESUS
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After Jesus and his disciples arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma tax came to Peter and asked, "Doesn't your teacher pay the temple tax?" "Yes, he does," he replied.

What did Jesus tell Peter to do to come up with money to pay the tax?

Matthew 17:24-27
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Photo for 01/20/2012

At Shawnee Mission Park.. :0)

Points To Ponder 01/20/2011

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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Confession isn’t doing something about my sin; it's admitting I can’t do anything about it.
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BIBLE QUIZ: THE GOSPEL ACCOUNTS OF THE LIFE OF JESUS
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Jesus took along three disciples and went up a high mountain by themselves where He was transfigured before them. Who were the three disciples?
BONUS POINT: Who were the two people that appeared and talked with Jesus while they were on the mountain? _ _ _ _ _ and _ _ _ _ _ _

Matthew 17:1-9
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Photo for 01/19/2012

At...you guessed it...Shawnee Mission Park.. :0)

Points To Ponder 01/19/2011

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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We are called to win people, not arguments.
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BIBLE QUIZ: THE GOSPEL ACCOUNTS OF THE LIFE OF JESUS
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Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must _ _ _ _ himself and take up his _ _ _ _ and _ _ _ _ _ _ me. For whoever wants to _ _ _ _ his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.

Matthew 16:24
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Photo for 01/18/2012

In our front yard....

Points To Ponder 01/18/2011

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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A goal casually set and lightly taken is freely abandoned at the first obstacle.
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BIBLE QUIZ: THE GOSPEL ACCOUNTS OF THE LIFE OF JESUS
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When Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, He began asking His disciples, saying, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" And they said” Some say you are _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ; and others, _ _ _ _ _ _ but still others, _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ , or one of the prophets."

BONUS POINT: What was Peter’s answer? How did he come up with his answer?

Matthew 16:14-16
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Photo for 01/1672012

Near Shawnee Mission Park...

Points To Ponder 01/17/2011

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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You can impress people from a distance but only impact them up close- where they can see your warts.
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BIBLE QUIZ: THE GOSPEL ACCOUNTS OF THE LIFE OF JESUS
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Jesus often referred to the corrupt and vicious ways of the Pharisees and Sadducees. To what ingredient (that is used in the making of bread) did Jesus compare the ways Pharisees and Sadducees to?

_ _ _ _ _ (NIV) or _ _ _ _ _ _ (KJV).

Matthew 16:5-12
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Photo for 01/16/2012

Red bird (Cardinal) at Beaver Lake, Arkansas...

Points To Ponder 01/16/2011

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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My own sinful nature loves to tell me that everyone else's sins are worse than mine.
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BIBLE QUIZ: THE GOSPEL ACCOUNTS OF THE LIFE OF JESUS
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The SECOND TIME Jesus fed the multitude he started out with __ loaves of bread and a few small fish. They had __ basketfuls of leftovers and the crowd numbered _, _ _ _ men besides women and children.

Matthew 15:32-39
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Photo for 01/15/2012

At Shawnee Mission Park...

Points To Ponder 01/15/2011

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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God will direct your footsteps, but you must be willing to pick up your feet.
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BIBLE QUIZ: THE GOSPEL ACCOUNTS OF THE LIFE OF JESUS
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A Canaanite woman came to Jesus and said "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is suffering terribly from demon-possession." However, Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, "Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us."

What was the statement that Jesus made and what was the woman’s comment that caused Jesus to say "Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted."

Matthew 15:22-28
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Photo for 01/14/2012

Icy oak leaves in our yard...

Points To Ponder 01/14/2011

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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You may have a fresh start any moment you choose, for the thing that we call “failure” is not the falling down but the staying down. - Mary Pickford
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BIBLE QUIZ: THE GOSPEL ACCOUNTS OF THE LIFE OF JESUS
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After the feeding of the 5,000. During the fourth watch of the night, Jesus went out to the disciples (who were in a boat), walking on the lake. Which disciple got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. _ _ _ _ _

Matthew 14:23-32
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Photo for 01/13/2012

Bambi’s first winter.....

Points To Ponder 01/13/2011

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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To love means loving the unlovable. To forgive means pardoning the unpardonable. Faith means believing the unbelievable. Hope means hoping when everything seems hopeless. - G.K. Chesterton
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BIBLE QUIZ: THE GOSPEL ACCOUNTS OF THE LIFE OF JESUS
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When Jesus performed the miracle involving the five loaves of bread and two fish how many men did He feed?

About _, _ _ _ besides women and children.

How many basketfuls of broken pieces were left over? _ _

Matthew 14:17-20
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Photo for 01/12/2012

Close to our house...

Points To Ponder 01/12/2011

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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Do today's duty, fight today's temptation; do not weaken and distract yourself by looking forward to things you cannot see, and could not understand if you saw them. - Charles Kingsley
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BIBLE QUIZ: THE GOSPEL ACCOUNTS OF THE LIFE OF JESUS
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Who had John the Baptist killed? _ _ _ _ _.
How was he killed? _________________
What was the occasion? ______________

Matthew 14:1-11
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Photo for 01/11/2012

Close to our house

...

Points To Ponder 01/11/2011

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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He that cannot forgive others, breaks the bridge over which he himself must pass if he would reach heaven, for everyone has need to be forgiven. -Thomas Fuller.
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BIBLE QUIZ: THE GOSPEL ACCOUNTS OF THE LIFE OF JESUS
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Mary, the mother of Jesus, had four other sons after Jesus. What were the names of the four sons?
1. _ _ _ _ _
2. _ _ _ _ _ _
3. _ _ _ _ _
4. _ _ _ _ _

Did Mary have any daughter's? ____

Matthew 13:54-56
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Photo for 01/10/2012

At Shawnee Mission Park...

Points To Ponder 01/10/2011

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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Ignoring the facts does not change the facts...
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BIBLE QUIZ: THE GOSPEL ACCOUNTS OF THE LIFE OF JESUS
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One of the 12 disciples was originally a tax collector. He wrote one of the Gospels. What was his name? _ _ _ _ _ _ _. By what other names do we know him? _ _ _ _ son of Alphaeus.

Matthew 10:2-4; Mark 2:14
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Photo for 01/09/2012

At Shawnee Mission Park...

Points To Ponder 01/09/2011

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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A look that lingers can lead to lust...
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BIBLE QUIZ: THE GOSPEL ACCOUNTS OF THE LIFE OF JESUS
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In the "model prayer" where Jesus gave us instructions on how to pray he said we are to forgive men when they sin against us. What did He say will happen if we do NOT forgive those that sin against us?

Matthew 6:9-15
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Photo for 01/08/2012

Ice on a tree in our front yard...

Points To Ponder 01/08/2011

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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The ability to find fault is believed, by some people, to be a sure sign of great wisdom, when, in most cases, it only indicates narrowness of mind and ill nature. - James H. Aughey
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BIBLE QUIZ: THE GOSPEL ACCOUNTS OF THE LIFE OF JESUS
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Luke 3:23 NIV

23 Now Jesus himself was about _________ years old when he began his ministry.
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Photo for 01/07/2012

Ice on a bush in our front yard...

Points To Ponder 01/07/2011

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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The next moment is as much beyond our grasp, and as much in God's care, as that a hundred years away. Care for the next minute is as foolish as care for a day in the next thousand years. In neither can we do anything, in both God is doing everything. - CS Lewis
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BIBLE QUIZ: THE GOSPEL ACCOUNTS OF THE LIFE OF JESUS
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Luke 4:9-13 How did Jesus resist the temptations of the devil? He quoted Scripture to him...and we can do the same.

9 The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. "If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw yourself down from here. 10 For it is written: "'He will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully;
11 they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.'"
12 Jesus answered, "It says: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'"
13 When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time.

See Deuteronomy 6:16 to see the passage Jesus was quoting....
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Photo for 01/06/2012

In our backyard...

Points To Ponder 01/06/2011

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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We have employments assigned to us for every circumstance in life. When we are alone, we have our thoughts to watch; in the family, our tempers; and in company, our tongues. - Hannah Moore
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BIBLE QUIZ: THE GOSPEL ACCOUNTS OF THE LIFE OF JESUS
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How did Jesus resist the temptations of the devil? He quoted Scripture to him...and we can do the same.

Luke 4:5-8

5 The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the __________ of the world. 6 And he said to him, "I will give you all their authority and splendor, for it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. 7 So if you worship me, it will all be yours."
8 Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.'"

See Deuteronomy 6:13 to see the passage Jesus was quoting....
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Photo for 01/05/2012

Out at Shawnee Mission Park a couple of years ago...

Points To Ponder 01/05/2011

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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So long as we are full of self we are shocked at the faults of others. Let us think often of our own sin, and we shall be lenient to the sins of others. - Francois Fenelon
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BIBLE QUIZ: THE GOSPEL ACCOUNTS OF THE LIFE OF JESUS
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Luke 4:1-13

How did Jesus resist the temptations of the devil? He quoted Scripture to him...and we can do the same.

4:1 Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the desert, 2 where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry.
3 The devil said to him, "If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread."
4 Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on ________ alone.'"

See Deuteronomy 8:1-5 to see the passage Jesus was quoting....
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Photo for 01/04/2012

On our front porch a couple of years ago...

Points To Ponder 01/04/2011

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Unless there is within us that which is above us, we will soon yield to that which is around us.
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BIBLE QUIZ: THE GOSPEL ACCOUNTS OF THE LIFE OF JESUS
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Mark 1:9-11

9 At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 As Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the ________ descending on him like a _______. 11 And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased."
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Photo for 01/03/2012

At Shawnee Mission Park...

Points To Ponder 01/03/2011

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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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 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 it with God so as to get from it the utmost. The clock is running.
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BIBLE QUIZ: THE GOSPEL ACCOUNTS OF THE LIFE OF JESUS
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Mark 1:7-8

7 And this was his message: "After me will come one more powerful than I, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8 I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the ________ _______."
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Photo for 01/02/2012

Turtle dove in our backyard......

Points To Ponder 01/02/2011

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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Even though you might be just one person in this world, you might mean the whole world to just one person.
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BIBLE QUIZ: THE GOSPEL ACCOUNTS OF THE LIFE OF JESUS
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4 And so John (the Baptist) came, baptizing in the desert region and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. 6 John wore clothing made of camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate _______ and wild________.
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