Photo For 06/01/2012

For the next week or two we will be looking at photos of Eureka Springs, Arkansas. Another Turkey Vulture glides on an evening breeze at Beaver Lake, Arkansas...

Points To Ponder 06/01/2012

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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It is in the ordinary duties and labors of life that the Christian can and should develop his spiritual union with God. - Thomas Merton.
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BIBLE QUIZ:  THE BOOK OF ACTS
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(New Testament/Book of Acts)  - 27 On the fourteenth night we were still being driven across the Adriatic Sea, when about midnight the sailors sensed they were approaching land. 28 They took soundings and found that the water was a hundred and twenty feet deep. A short time later they took soundings again and found it was ninety feet deep. 29 Fearing that we would be dashed against the rocks, they dropped four anchors from the stern and prayed for daylight. 30 In an attempt to escape from the ship, the sailors let the lifeboat down into the sea, pretending they were going to lower some anchors from the bow. 31 Then Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers .....................

 What did Paul say to the centurion and the soldiers and what was the result?

 

Acts 27:27-32

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Photo for 05/31/2012

For the next week or two we will be looking at photos of Eureka Springs, Arkansas. This raccoon was photographed from the deck of the cabin we stayed in. Just to the right of him was the fox we showcased yesterday...The exposure etc. was pretty much the same as what was noted in yesterday’s PTP...

Points To Ponder 05/31/2012

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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Revenge... is like a rolling stone, which, when a man hath forced up a hill, will return upon him with a greater violence, and break those bones whose sinews gave it motion. - Albert Schweitzer
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BIBLE QUIZ:  THE BOOK OF ACTS
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(New Testament/Book of Acts)  - 21 After the men had gone a long time without food, Paul stood up before them and said: "Men, you should have taken my advice not to sail from Crete; then you would have spared yourselves this damage and loss. 22 But now I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed. 23 Last night an angel of the God whose I am and whom I serve stood beside me 24 and said, 'Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before ___________; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.' 25 So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me. 26 Nevertheless, we must run ___________ on some _________."

Acts 27:21-26

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Photo for 05/30/2012

For the next week or two we will be looking at photos of Eureka Springs, Arkansas. This fox was photographed from the deck of the cabin we stayed in. Just to the left of him was a raccoon (we will see that shot tomorrow). This was hand held with image an stabilization lens @ f/5.6 @ 1/60 of a second with the lens set to 480mm, and the ISO was set 1600. It was shot about 30 minutes after sunset. This is a shot we would have had trouble getting back in the film days because you generally wouldn’t of had that high of a speed of film in the camera. With digital...while you might experience some “noise” it’s very simple to change your ISO rating. I was dark enough when I shot this the auto focus was struggling to work.

Points To Ponder 05/30/2012

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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LEADERS BEWARE: Having influence doesn't just attract attackers, it also attracts flatterers. Love attackers. Fear flatterers!
**********BIBLE QUIZ:  THE BOOK OF ACTS
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(New Testament/Book of Acts)  - 13 When a gentle south wind began to blow, they thought they had obtained what they wanted; so they weighed anchor and sailed along the shore of Crete. 14 Before very long, a wind of hurricane force, called the "northeaster," swept down from the island. 15 The ship was caught by the storm and could not head into the wind; so we gave way to it and were driven along. 16 As we passed to the lee of a small island called Cauda, we were hardly able to make the lifeboat secure. 17 When the men had hoisted it aboard, they passed ropes under the ship itself to hold it together. Fearing that they would run aground on the sandbars of Syrtis, they lowered the sea anchor and let the ship be driven along. 18 We took such a violent battering from the storm that the next day they began to throw the cargo overboard. 19 On the third day, they threw the ship's tackle overboard with their own hands. 20 When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the storm continued raging, we finally gave up all ________ of being __________.

Acts 27:13-20

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Photo for 05/29/2012

For the next week or two we will be looking at photos of Eureka Springs, Arkansas. Here is the engine being used currently on the Eureka Springs & North Arkansas Railway.

Points To Ponder 05/29/2012

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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Many who we think are turned off to Jesus' Good News are really just turned off to our arrogant, unloving ways of shoving it...
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BIBLE QUIZ:  THE BOOK OF ACTS
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(New Testament/Book of Acts)  - And when it was determined that we should sail into Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners unto one named Julius, a centurion of Augustus' band. And entering into a ship of Adramyttium, we launched, meaning to sail by the coasts of Asia; one Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, being with us……………..

Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, because the fast was now already past, Paul admonished them, And said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives. Nevertheless the centurion believed the _________ and the ______ of the ship, more than those things which were spoken by Paul...

Acts 27:1-11

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Photo for 05/28/2012

For the next week or two we will be looking at photos of Eureka Springs, Arkansas. Steam engine No. 201 at Eureka Springs railroad station. Unfortunately this engine is now gone. I believe they sold it?

Points To Ponder 05/28/2012

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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God will never remove the need for faith...
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BIBLE QUIZ:  THE BOOK OF ACTS
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(New Testament/Book of Acts) - Then Felix, who was well acquainted with the Way, adjourned the proceedings. "When Lysias the commander comes," he said, "I will decide your case." He ordered the centurion to keep Paul under guard but to give him some freedom and permit his friends to take care of his needs. Several days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was a __________. He sent for Paul and listened to him as he spoke about faith in Christ Jesus. As Paul discoursed on righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, "That's enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you." At the same time he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe, so he sent for him frequently and talked with him. When two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, but because Felix wanted to grant a favor to the Jews, he left Paul in prison.

Acts 24:22-27

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Photo for 05/27/2012

For the next week or two we will be looking at photos of Eureka Springs, Arkansas. Train order board at the Eureka Springs railroad station.

Points To Ponder 05/27/2012

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BIBLE QUIZ:  THE BOOK OF ACTS
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(New Testament/Book of (New Testament/Book of Acts) - When Paul appeared, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him, bringing many serious charges against him, which they could not prove. Then Paul made his defense: "I have done nothing wrong against the law of the Jews or against the temple or against Caesar." Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, said to Paul, "Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and stand trial before me there on these charges?" Paul answered: "I am now standing before Caesar's court, where I ought to be tried. I have not done any wrong to the Jews, as you yourself know very well. If, however, I am guilty of doing anything deserving death, I do not refuse to die. But if the charges brought against me by these Jews are not true, no one has the right to hand me over to them. I appeal to _________!"

After Festus had conferred with his council, he declared: "You have appealed to ________. To _________ you will go!" A few days later King Agrippa and Bernice arrived at Caesarea to pay their respects to Festus.

Fill in the blanks……….who did Paul appeal to?

 Acts 25:7-13

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Photo for 05/26/2012

Grinding flour inside the water powered War Eagle Mill...

Points To Ponder 05/26/2012

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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We may love another person too much in proportion to our love for God. But it is the smallness of our love for God, not the greatness of our love for the man, that constitutes the inordinacy. - C.S. Lewis
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BIBLE QUIZ:  THE BOOK OF ACTS
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(New Testament/Book of Acts) - So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man. "After an absence of several years, I came to Jerusalem to bring my people gifts for the poor and to present offerings. I was ceremonially clean when they found me in the temple courts doing this. There was no crowd with me, nor was I involved in any disturbance. But there are some Jews from the province of Asia, who ought to be here before you and bring charges if they have anything against me. Or these who are here should state what crime they found in me when I stood before the Sanhedrin-- unless it was this one thing I shouted as I stood in their presence: .....

What was the one thing that Paul shouted?

Acts 24:16-21
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Photo for 05/25/2012

For the next week or two we will be looking at photos of Eureka Springs, Arkansas. We average going there once a year...Waterwheel at the War Eagle Mill...

Points To Ponder 05/25/2012

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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God most uses those who trust him most.
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BIBLE QUIZ:  THE BOOK OF ACTS
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(New Testament/Book of Acts) - When the governor motioned for him to speak, Paul replied: "I know that for a number of years you have been a judge over this nation; so I gladly make my defense.

You can easily verify that no more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship.

My accusers did not find me arguing with anyone at the temple, or stirring up a crowd in the synagogues or anywhere else in the city. And they cannot prove to you the charges they are now making against me.

However, I admit that I worship the God of our fathers as a follower of the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that agrees with the Law and that is written in the Prophets, and I have the same hope in God as these men, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked.

What does it mean to be a follower of the Way?

Acts 24:10-15
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Photo for 05/23/2012

For the next week or two we will be looking at photos of Eureka Springs, Arkansas...and surrounding areas. We average going there once a year...A Turkey Vulture glides on an sunset breeze at Beaver Lake, Arkansas...

Points To Ponder 05/23/2012

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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LEADERS BEWARE: Having influence doesn't just attract attackers, it also attracts flatterers. Love attackers. Fear flatterers!
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BIBLE QUIZ:  THE BOOK OF ACTS
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(New Testament/Book of Acts) - And after five days the high priest Ananias came down with some elders, with a certain attorney {named} Tertullus; and they brought charges to the governor against Paul. And after {Paul} had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying {to the governor}  "Since we have through you attained much peace, and since by your providence reforms are being carried out for this nation, we acknowledge {this} in every way and everywhere, most excellent Felix, with all thankfulness. "But, that I may not weary you any further, I beg you to grant us, by your kindness, a brief hearing. "For we have found this man………………..

What were the charges against against Paul?

Acts 24:1-9

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Photo for 05/23/2012

For the next week or two we will be looking at photos of Eureka Springs, Arkansas. We average going there once a year...Here is another view from our deck after the fog lifted...We’ve camped out on that island many years ago.

Points to Ponder 05/23/2012

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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Sin will always take you farther than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay, and  cost you more than you will ever imagine...
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BIBLE QUIZ:  THE BOOK OF ACTS
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(New Testament/Book of Acts) - When the cavalry arrived in Caesarea, they delivered the letter from the commander to the governor Felix and handed Paul over to him. Governor Felix read the letter and asked what province he was from. Learning that he was from Cilicia, he said, "I will hear your case when your accusers get here." Then he ordered that Paul be kept under guard in Herod's palace.

Five days later the high priest _____________ went down to Caesarea with some of the elders and a __________ named ____________, and they brought their charges against Paul before the governor.

Who went to Caesarea to bring charges against Paul?
Acts 23:33-24:1
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Photo for 05/22/2012

For the next week or two we will be looking at photos of Eureka Springs, Arkansas. We average going there once a year...Here is another view from our deck before the fog entirely lifted...

Point To Ponder 05/22/2012

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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Come with Me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest. - Mark 6:31
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BIBLE QUIZ:  THE BOOK OF ACTS
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(New Testament/Book of Acts)  - "So do not listen to them, for more than forty of them are lying in wait for Paul who have bound themselves under a curse not to eat or drink until they slay him; and now they are ready and waiting for the promise from you." Therefore the commander let the young man go, instructing him, "Tell no one that you have notified me of these things." And he called to him two of the centurions, and said, "Get ____ hundred soldiers ready by the third hour of the night to proceed to Caesarea, with __________ horsemen and _____ hundred spearmen." They were also to provide mounts to put Paul on and bring him …………………..

The commander took great care in being sure that Paul was transported safely to _________ _____ ______________?

BONUS POINT: What was the commander’s name? ________________
Acts 23
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Photo for 05/21/2012

For the next week or two we will be looking at photos of Eureka Springs, Arkansas. We average going there once a year...Here was the view from our deck before the fog lifted...Beaver Lake is out there :0)

Points To Ponder 05/21/2012

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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God has no grandchildren...only children. You can’t get into heaven on someone else’s coattails.
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BIBLE QUIZ:  THE BOOK OF ACTS
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(New Testament/Book of Acts)  - And when it was day, certain of the Jews banded together, and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul. And they were more than forty which had made this conspiracy. And they came to the chief priests and elders, and said, We have bound ourselves under a great curse, that we will eat nothing until we have slain Paul. Now then, you and the Sanhedrin petition the commander to bring him before you on the pretext of wanting more accurate information about his case. We are ready to kill him before he gets here."

How was it that Paul was not killed by this conspiracy?

Acts 23
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Photo for 05/20/2012

For the next week or two we will be looking at photos of Eureka Springs, Arkansas. We average going there once a year...Here is a duplex you can rent cheap. Has a fireplace and air conditioning :0)

Points To Ponder 05/20/2012

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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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:  THE BOOK OF ACTS
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(New Testament/Book of Acts) - The next day, since the commander wanted to find out exactly why Paul was being accused by the Jews, he released him and ordered the chief priests and all the Sanhedrin to assemble. Then he brought Paul and had him stand before them. And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.

And Paul, looking intently at the Council, said, "Brethren, I have lived my life with a perfectly good conscience before God up to this day." And the high priest Ananias commanded those standing beside him to strike him on the mouth. Then Paul said to him, "God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall! And do you sit to try me according to the Law, and in violation of the Law order me to be struck?" But the bystanders said, "Do you revile God's high priest?" And Paul said, "I was not aware, brethren, that he was high priest; for it is written, 'You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.'"

But Paul perceived that ……………………….

What did Paul perceive?  What did he do next? How did this effect the assembly that was gathered together to accuse Him?

Acts 22:30-23:9

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Photo for 05/19/2012

Blanket flower at Shawnee Mission Park...

Points To Ponder 05/19/2012

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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People often go to marriage counselors to straighten out their spouse...
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BIBLE QUIZ:  THE BOOK OF ACTS
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(New Testament/Book of Acts) - "And God said to me, 'Go! For I will send you far away to the Gentiles.'" And they listened to Paul up to this statement, and then they raised their voices and said, "Away with such a man from the earth, for he should not be allowed to live!" And as they were crying out and throwing off their cloaks and tossing dust into the air, the commander ordered Paul to be brought into the barracks, stating that he should be examined by scourging so that he might find out the reason why they were shouting against him that way. And when they stretched him out with thongs.......

On this occasion Paul was NOT scourged. Why not?

Acts 22:21ff
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Photo for 05/18/2012

A painted lady on a purple coneflower...

Point To Ponder 05/18/2012

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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In the light of eternity we shall see that what we desired would have been fatal to us, and that what we would have avoided was essential to our well-being. - Francois Fenelon
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BIBLE QUIZ:  THE BOOK OF ACTS
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(New Testament/Book of Acts) - And when he had been given permission to speak, Paul stood on the stairs, and beckoned with the hand unto the people. And when there was made a great silence, he spoke unto them in the Hebrew tongue……. telling them about his life and conversion to the Way….

The crowd listened intently until what part? What happened when Paul reached this part of his message?

Acts 21 & 22
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Photo for 05/17/2012

Purple and white columbine. Our house is a two story that faces east so it takes awhile for the sun to reach the backyard. Since we have some purple and white columbines blooming I waited for the sun to just hit the blossom while the background behind the flower was still in deep shade. One thing I failed to mention in regards to my similar shot of the pink and white columbine is that in these cases I use spot metering. The photo was snapped at 12:35:26 p.m. on 05/16/2012 at f/8 using 1/400 of a second with the ISO set to 320. The lens was set to 320mm and the camera was hand held with IS on. Subject distance was 23”.

Points To Ponder 05/17/2012

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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Teasing is a form of anger
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BIBLE QUIZ:  THE BOOK OF ACTS
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(New Testament/Book of Acts) - And as they went about to kill Paul, word came unto the chief captain of the Roman troops, that all Jerusalem was in an uproar. So he immediately took soldiers and centurions, and ran down unto them: and when they saw the chief captain and the soldiers, they stopped beating of Paul. Then the chief captain came near, and took him, and commanded him to be bound with two chains; and demanded who he was, and what he had done. And some cried one thing, some another, among the multitude: and when he could not know the certainty for the tumult, he commanded him to be carried into the barracks…………..

What language did Paul use to speak to the Roman centurion? What language did he use to address the crowd? Who did the Roman centurion think Paul was when he first arrested him?

Acts 21:31-40
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Photo for 05/16/2012

Pink double hollyhocks in our front yard last year...

Points To Ponder 05/16/2012

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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The ones we love the most are often the ones we take most for granted...
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BIBLE QUIZ:  THE BOOK OF ACTS
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(New Testament/Book of Acts) - At Jerusalem Paul took the men, and the next day purifying himself with them entered into the temple, to signify the accomplishment of the days of purification, until that an offering should be offered for every one of them. And when the seven days were almost ended, the Jews which were of Asia, when they saw him in the temple, stirred up all the people, and laid hands on him, Crying out, Men of Israel, help: This is the man, that teaches all men every where against the people, and the law, and this place: and further brought Greeks also into the temple, and hath polluted this holy place (For they had seen before with him in the city Trophimus an Ephesian, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple). And all of the city was stirred up: and immediately the temple doors were shut. And as they went about to kill him…………………………………………..

What kept Paul from being killed at this time?

Acts 21:26-31
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