Photo For 02/01/2013

We are at the Duck Creek Picnic Ground getting ready to head up into Geneva City. Here are some Forest Service signs that tell about the area. Thanks to a friend of mine who referred me four of the photos on the display are ones I took…

Points To Ponder 02/01/2013

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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One can pay back the loan of money, but one dies forever in debt to those who are kind.
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BIBLE QUIZ: 
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Old Testament/Stories of Samuel, Saul and David (I Samuel 3:19-4:3)

Thus Samuel grew and the LORD was with him and let none of his words fail. And all Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew that Samuel was confirmed as a prophet of the LORD. And the LORD appeared again at Shiloh, because the LORD revealed Himself to Samuel at Shiloh by the word of the LORD.

Thus the word of Samuel came to all Israel. Now Israel went out to meet the Philistines in battle and camped beside Ebenezer while the Philistines camped in Aphek. And the Philistines drew up in battle array to meet Israel. When the battle spread, Israel was defeated before the Philistines who killed about four thousand men on the battlefield. When the people came into the camp, the elders of Israel said, "Why has the LORD defeated us today before the Philistines? ………………………….

Why did the Israelites think they were defeated in the battle against the Philistines? What did the Israelites do to insure victory in the next battle? 

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Photo For 01/31/2013

Since I have pretty much exhausted my winter pictures it’s time to move on to something else…so for now we are going to take a trip to one of my favorite ghost towns that is located about 50 miles west of Denver, Colorado. The old town we’re traveling to is Geneva City. Here is a waterfall just before we head up the fourwheel drive road.

Points To Ponder 01/31/2013

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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“Envy begins by asking plausibly: ‘Why should I not enjoy what others enjoy?’ and it ends by demanding: ‘Why should others enjoy what I may not?’” - Dorothy Sayers
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BIBLE QUIZ: 
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(Old Testament/Stories of Samuel, Saul and David (I Samuel 3:1-14)

And the child Samuel ministered unto the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was precious in those days; there was no open vision. And it came to pass at that time, when Eli was laid down in his place, and his eyes began to wax dim, that he could not see; And ere the lamp of God went out in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was, and Samuel was laid down to sleep; That the LORD called Samuel: and he answered, Here am I.

And he ran unto Eli, and said, Here am I; for you called me. And he said, I called not; lie down again. And he went and lay down. And the LORD called yet again, Samuel. And Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for you did call me. And he answered, I called not, my son; lie down again. Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, neither was the word of the LORD yet revealed unto him. And the LORD called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And Eli perceived that the LORD had called the child. Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he calls you, that you shall say, Speak, LORD; for thy servant heareth. So Samuel went and lay down in his place. And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.

And the LORD said to Samuel…………………….

 

What did the Lord say to Samuel?

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Photo For 01/30/2013

 

Morse Mercantile at Forks Creek, Colorado…. This is a 1/24 scale scratch built model I did which includes full interior detail. I scratch built the wooden barrels, pot belly stove, apple barrel, produce boxes, pumpkins, the brick chimney and even “Duke” the dog. After building the masters I then made latex molds and cast multiple copies from plaster.  The master for the brick chimney was built from wood while lying in a hospital bed during one of my many hospital stays.

Nearly every item in the store interior is scratch built including the sales counter, meat counter, meat scales, butcher paper roll dispenser, shelving, upright refrigerator/freezer, calendar, clock, stove and stove pipe, cans, boxes, barrels, and bags. There are hundreds of boxed and canned goods (all were either scratch built or made from my own castings). All the labels for the boxes and canned goods were created on my computer in Microsoft Publisher and printed on my color printer. These labels were then applied ONE by ONE to each item. The gas pump and the car are kits. Close to 600 hours was invested in the project.

Points To Ponder 01/30/2013

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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"It is incumbent on every generation to pay its own debts as it goes. A principle which if acted on would save one-half the wars of the world." - Thomas Jefferson
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BIBLE QUIZ: 
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(Old Testament/Stories of Samuel, Saul and David (I Samuel 2:22-36)

Now Eli was very old; and he heard all that his sons were doing to all Israel, and how they lay with the women who served at the doorway of the tent of meeting. And he said to them, "Why do you do such things, the evil things that I hear from all these people? "No, my sons; for the report is not good which I hear the LORD'S people circulating. "If one man sins against another, God will mediate for him; but if a man sins against the LORD, who can intercede for him?" But they would not listen to the voice of their father, for the LORD desired to put them to death. Then a man of God came to Eli with a message…………………And this will be the sign to you which shall come concerning your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas:………………….

What other sins (besides the one underlined above) were Hophni and Phinehas guilty of?

What was the sign the man of God gave concerning Eli’s sons Hophni and Phinehas?

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Photo For 01/29/2013

Perigee Moon photo from last year….

Points To Ponder 01/29/2013

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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: 
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(Old Testament/Stories of Samuel, Saul and David (I Samuel 2:18-21)

But Samuel ministered before the LORD, being a child, girded with a linen ephod. Moreover his mother made him a little _______, and brought it to him from year to year, when she came up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice. Then Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife and say, "May the LORD give you children from this woman in place of the one she dedicated to the LORD." And they went to their own home. And the LORD visited Hannah, so that she conceived, and bare _________ sons and ________ daughters. And the child Samuel grew before the LORD.

What did Hannah make and take to Samuel every year? After the birth of Samuel how many sons and daughters did Hannah have?

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Photo For 01/28/2013

Another winter sunset at Shawnee Mission Park…

Points To Ponder 01/28/2013

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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“Christians can be miserably dissatisfied if they accept Christ’s salvation yet reject the fullness of a daily relationship that satisfies”. - Beth Moore
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BIBLE QUIZ: 
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(Old Testament/Stories of Samuel, Saul and David (I Samuel 2:11-17)

And Elkanah went to Ramah to his house. And the child did minister unto the LORD before Eli the priest. Now the sons of Eli were sons were worthless men; they knew not the LORD. And the priests' custom with the people was………………………….. Wherefore the sin of the young men was very great before the LORD………..

What was the priest’s custom with the people? What was the sin of the sons of Eli?

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Photo For 01/27/2013

Another winter sunset at Shawnee Mission Park…

Points To Ponder 01/27/2013

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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“Remember that it is easier to stay out of temptation than to get out of it.”  - Rick Warren
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BIBLE QUIZ: 
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(Old Testament/Stories of Samuel, Saul and David (I Samuel 1:17-2:11)

Now when Hannah had weaned Samuel, she took him up with her, with a three-year-old bull and one ephah of flour and a jug of wine, and brought him to the house of the LORD in Shiloh, although the child was young. Then they slaughtered the bull, and brought the boy to Eli. And she said, "Oh, my lord! As your soul lives, my lord, I am the woman who stood here beside you, praying to the LORD. "For this boy I prayed, and the LORD has given me my petition which I asked of Him.  "So I have also dedicated him to the LORD; as long as he lives he is dedicated to the LORD." And he worshiped the LORD there...........

What happened to the boy Samuel after his parents dedicated him to the Lord?

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Photo For 01/26/2013

Winter sunset at Shawnee Mission Park…

Points To Ponder 01/26/2013

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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One reason why some of your prayers aren’t answered now is that your life on earth isn’t the end of your story.
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BIBLE QUIZ: 
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(Old Testament/Stories of Samuel, Saul and David (I Samuel 1:17-22)

Then Eli answered and said, Go in peace: and the God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of him. And she said, Let thine handmaid find grace in thy sight. So the woman went her way, and did eat, and her countenance was no more sad. And they rose up in the morning early, and worshipped before the LORD, and returned, and came to their house to Ramah: and Elkanah knew Hannah his wife; and the LORD remembered her. Wherefore it came to pass, when the time was come about after Hannah had conceived, that she bare a son, and called his name ___________, saying, Because I have asked him of the LORD. And the man Elkanah, and all his house, went up to offer unto the LORD the yearly sacrifice, and his vow. But Hannah went not up....

What did Hannah name her son? Why didn’t Hannah go to the yearly sacrifice?

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Photo For 01/25/2013

Winter sunset at Shawnee Mission Park…

Points To Ponder 01/25/2013

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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The government cannot give to anybody anything that the government does not first take from somebody else.
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BIBLE QUIZ: 
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(Old Testament/Stories of Samuel, Saul and David (I Samuel 1:9-14)

Then Hannah rose after eating and drinking in Shiloh. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat by the doorpost of the temple of the LORD. And she, greatly distressed, prayed to the LORD and wept bitterly. And she made a vow and said, "O LORD of hosts, if Thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of Thy maidservant and remember me, and not forget Thy maidservant, but wilt give Thy maidservant a son, then I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life, and a razor shall never come on his head." Now it came about, as she continued praying before the LORD, that Eli was watching her mouth. As for Hannah, she was speaking in her heart, only her lips were moving, but her voice was not heard. So Eli thought she  was ______________.

What did Eli think was wrong with Hannah?

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Photo For 01/24/2012

Snow on barbed wire fence near our house…

Points To Ponder 1/24/2013

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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Happiness can be stolen by others, but joy comes from friendship with God and no one can steal that once you've got it!
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BIBLE QUIZ: 
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(Old Testament/Stories of Samuel, Saul and David (I Samuel 1:1-3)

There was a certain man from Ramathaim, a Zuphite from the hill country of Ephraim, whose name was Elkanah son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephraimite. He had two wives; one was called __________ and the other ____________. One had children, but the other had none. Year after year this man went up from his town to worship and sacrifice to the LORD Almighty at Shiloh, where Hophni and Phinehas, the two sons of Eli, were priests of the LORD.

 What were the names of the two wives of Elkanah? Which one had no children?

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Photo For 01/23/2013

This photo was scanned from an old slide that was shot in my parent’s backyard near Blackhawk, Colorado in probably the late 1960’s.

Points To Ponder 01/23/2013

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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A genius is someone who shoots at a target no one else sees and hits it.
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BIBLE QUIZ: 
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Proverbs 11:18 (NIV) Fill in the blank . . .

The wicked man earns deceptive wages, but he who sows righteousness reaps a sure ____________.

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Photo For 01/22/2013

At Shawnee Mission Park…

Points To Ponder 01/22/2013

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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: 
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Proverbs 11:17 (NIV)

A kind man benefits himself, but a cruel man brings _________ on himself.

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Photo For 01/21/2012

Near our house…

Points To Ponder 01/21/2013

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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Originals leave a legacy. Imitators are quickly forgotten. Be the best you that you can be.
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BIBLE QUIZ: 
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Proverbs 11:16 (NIV)

A kindhearted woman gains respect, but ruthless men gain only wealth.

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Photo For 01/20/2013

At Shawnee Mission Park…

Points To Ponder 01/20/2013

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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You cannot legislate the poor into prosperity, by legislating the wealth out of prosperity.
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BIBLE QUIZ: 
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Proverbs 11:15 (NIV) Fill in the blanks . . .

He who puts up security for another will surely suffer, but whoever refuses to strike hands in pledge is _____.

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Photo For 01/19/2013

A Cardinal at Beaver Lake, Arkansas…

Points To Ponder 01/19/2013

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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"What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us." - A. W. Tozer
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BIBLE QUIZ: 
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Proverbs 11:14 (NIV) Fill in the blanks . . .

For lack of ______________ a nation falls, but many advisers make victory sure.

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Photo For 01/18/2013

A Dark Eyed Junco in our backyard…

Points To Ponder 01/18/2013

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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"To compel a man to subsidize with his taxes the propagation of ideas which he disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical."
-- Thomas Jefferson
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BIBLE QUIZ: 
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Proverbs 11:13 (NIV) Fill in the blanks . . .

A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy man keeps a __________.

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Photo For 01/17/2013

Squirrel getting ready to raid the birdfeeder in our backyard…

Photo For 01/16/2013

At Shawnee Mission Park…

Points To Ponder 01/16/2013

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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Prayer is a sincere, sensible, affectionate pouring out of the soul to God, through Christ, in the strength and assistance of the Spirit, for such things as God has promised. - John Bunyan
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BIBLE QUIZ: 
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Proverbs 11:11 (NIV) Fill in the blanks . . .

Through the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, but by the mouth of the _________ it is destroyed.

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Photo For 01/15/2013

At Shawnee Mission Park…

Points To Ponder 01/15/2013

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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If you concentrate on the blues of your past, you will find it difficult to have rosy thoughts of the future.
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BIBLE QUIZ: 
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Proverbs 11:10 (NIV) Fill in the blanks . . .

When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices; when the wicked perish, there are shouts of _______.

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Photo For 01/14/2013

Wren in our backyard…

Points To Ponder 01/14/2013

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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When you lose your temper...... you always lose.
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BIBLE QUIZ: 
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Proverbs 11:9 (NIV) Fill in the blanks . . .

With his mouth the godless destroys his neighbor, but through _________ the righteous escape.

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Photo For 01/13/2013

Bambi’s mom….Out at Shawnee Mission Park…

Points To Ponder 01/13/2013

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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: 
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Proverbs 10:32 (NIV) Fill in the blanks . . .

The lips of the righteous know what is __________, but the mouth of the wicked only what is perverse.

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Photo For 01/12/2013

Out at Shawnee Mission Park…

Points To Ponder 01/12/2013

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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If a man cannot be a Christian in the place he is, he cannot be a Christian anywhere. - Henry Ward Beecher.
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BIBLE QUIZ: 
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Proverbs 10:31 (NIV) Fill in the blanks . . .

The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but a perverse tongue will be ____ out.

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Photo For 01/11/2013

Some icy oak leaves…

Points To Ponder 01/11/2012

   
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POINTS TO PONDER:

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Believe, when you are most unhappy, that there is something for you to do in the world. So long as you can sweeten another's pain, life is not in vain. - Helen Keller
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BIBLE QUIZ: 
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Proverbs 10:30-32 (NIV) Fill in the blanks . . .

30   The righteous will never be _________, but the wicked will not remain in the land.

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Photo For 01/10/2013

A lone duck contemplates and icy plunge into the lake at Shawnee Mission Park…

Points To Ponder 01/10/2013

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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When you can’t think clearly, you may need more sleep. During sleep, your brain organizes your thoughts.
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BIBLE QUIZ: 
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Proverbs 10:29 (NIV) Fill in the blanks . .

The way of the LORD is a ______ for the righteous, but it is the ruin of those who do evil.

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Photo For 01/09/2013

Icy barbed wire near our house…

Point To Ponder 01/09/2013

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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Life is like a coin, you can choose to spend it anyway you wish, but you can only spend it once.
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BIBLE QUIZ: 
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Proverbs 10:28 (NIV) Fill in the blanks . .

The prospect of the righteous is _____, but the hopes of the wicked come to nothing.

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