Photo For 03/01/2013

Just below Geneva City…on a different road is the remains of the Iron Placer diggings…Somehow even the dandelions look pretty in the high country … :0)

Points To Ponder 03/01/2013

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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Obedience is a ticket to freedom, and rebellion is a ticket to slavery.
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BIBLE QUIZ: 
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Old Testament/Stories of Samuel, Saul and David (I Samuel 14:45ff)

But the people said to Saul, "Must Jonathan die, who has brought about this great deliverance in Israel? Far from it! As the LORD lives, there shall not one hair of his head fall to the ground, for he has worked with God this day." So the people rescued Jonathan and he did not die.

Then Saul went up from pursuing the Philistines, and the Philistines went to their own place. Now when Saul had taken the kingdom over Israel, he fought against all his enemies on every side, against Moab, the sons of Ammon, Edom, the kings of Zobah, and the Philistines; and wherever he turned, he inflicted punishment. And he acted valiantly and defeated the Amalekites, and delivered Israel from the hands of those who plundered them. Now the sons of Saul were Jonathan and Ishvi and Malchi-shua; and the names of his two daughters {were these:} the name of the first-born Merab and the name of the younger _________. And the name of Saul's wife was Ahinoam the daughter of Ahimaaz. And the name of the captain of his army was _________ the son of Ner, Saul's uncle. And Kish {was} the father of Saul, and Ner the father of Abner {was} the son of Abiel. Now the war against the Philistines was severe all the days of Saul; and when Saul saw any mighty man or any valiant man, he attached him to his staff.

What was the name of Saul’s younger daughter? Who was the captain of his army? (we will hear more about these two in the days ahead)

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Photo For 02/28/2013

Just below Geneva City…on a different road is the remains of the Iron Placer diggings…Here is the only remeining cabin…

Points To Ponder 02/28/2013

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POINTS TO PONDER:

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“The One who has a right to rule is also the One whose rule is right.” - Beth Moore

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BIBLE QUIZ: 

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(Old Testament/Stories of Samuel, Saul and David (I Samuel 14:31ff)

That day, after the Israelites had struck down the Philistines from Micmash to Aijalon, they were exhausted. They pounced on the plunder and, taking sheep, cattle and calves, they butchered them on the ground and ate them, together with the blood. Then someone said to Saul, "Look, the men are sinning against the LORD by eating meat that has blood in it." "You have broken faith," he said. "Roll a large stone over here at once." Then he said, "Go out among the men and tell them, 'Each of you bring me your cattle and sheep, and slaughter them here and eat them. Do not sin against the LORD by eating meat with blood still in it.'" So everyone brought his ox that night and slaughtered it there.

Then Saul built an altar to the LORD; it was the first time he had done this. Saul said, "Let us go down after the Philistines by night and plunder them till dawn, and let us not leave one of them alive." "Do whatever seems best to you," they replied. But the priest said, "Let us inquire of God here." So Saul asked God, "Shall I go down after the Philistines? Will you give them into Israel's hand?" But God did not answer him that day. Saul therefore said, "Come here, all you who are leaders of the army, and let us find out what sin has been committed today. As surely as the LORD who rescues Israel lives, even if it lies with my son Jonathan, he must die." . . . .

How was Jonathan identified as the one who had “sinned”. What kept him from being killed?

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Photo For 02/27/2013

Just below Geneva City…on a different road is the remains of the Iron Placer diggings…Here we are crossing Geneva Creek…Photo by Ray Robinson...

Points To Ponder 02/27/2013

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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1 Corinthians 10:31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. (NKJ)
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BIBLE QUIZ: 
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Old Testament/Stories of Samuel, Saul and David (I Samuel 14:24ff)
 

And the men of Israel were distressed that day, for Saul had placed the people under oath, saying, "Cursed is the man who eats any food until evening, before I have taken vengeance on my enemies." So none of the people tasted food. Now all the people of the land came to a forest;  . . . .  But Jonathan had not heard his father charge the people with the oath . . . . therefore he . . .

What did Jonathan do that broke the oath Saul had placed the people under?

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Photo For 02/26/2013

When we tried to get into Geneva in the summer of 2007 the road was still closed because of snow…Yes, with the Jeep we could have driven “off road’ to get around it but that’s illiegal and bad for the environment…

Points To Ponder 02/26/2013

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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2 Corinthians 3:17 - Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
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BIBLE QUIZ: 
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(Old Testament/Stories of Samuel, Saul and David (I Samuel 14:14ff)

 

And that first slaughter which Jonathan and his armor bearer made was about twenty men within about half a furrow in an acre of land. And there was a trembling in the camp, in the field, and among all the people. Even the garrison and the raiders trembled, and the earth quaked so that it became a great trembling.

Now Saul's watchmen in Gibeah of Benjamin looked, and behold, the multitude melted away; and they went here and {there.} And Saul said to the people who {were} with him, "Number now and see who has gone from us." And when they had numbered, behold, Jonathan and his armor bearer were not {there.} Then Saul said to Ahijah, "Bring the ark of God here." For the ark of God was at that time with the sons of Israel. And it happened while Saul talked to the priest, that the commotion in the camp of the Philistines continued and increased; so Saul said to the priest, "Withdraw your hand."

Then Saul and all the people who {were} with him rallied and came to the battle; and behold, every man's sword was against his fellow, {and there was} very great confusion. Now the Hebrews {who} were with the Philistines previously, who went up with them all around in the camp, even they also {turned} to be with the Israelites who {were} with Saul and Jonathan. When all the men of Israel who had hidden themselves in the hill country of Ephraim heard that the Philistines had fled, even they also pursued them closely in the battle. So the LORD delivered Israel that day, and the battle spread beyond Beth-aven. Now the men of Israel were hard-pressed on that day, for Saul had put the people under oath, saying, " . . . . . . . . .

What was the oath that Saul put the people under that day?

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Photo For 02/25/2013

Our last view of the buildings at Geneva City…

Points To Ponder 02/25/2013

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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Pride is an obstacle that every believer must face in their quest for freedom.
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BIBLE QUIZ: 
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(Old Testament/Stories of Samuel, Saul and David (I Samuel 14:7ff)

And his armor bearer said to him, "Do all that is in your heart; turn yourself, {and} here I am with you according to your desire." Then Jonathan said, "Behold, we will cross over to the men and reveal ourselves to them. "If they say to us, 'Wait until we come to you'; then we will stand in our place and not go up to them. "But if they say, 'Come up to us,' then we will go up, for the LORD has given them into our hands; and this shall be the sign to us." And when both of them revealed themselves to the garrison of the Philistines, the Philistines said, "Behold, Hebrews are coming out of the holes where they have hidden themselves." So the men of the garrison hailed Jonathan and his armor bearer and said, "Come up to us and we will tell you something." And Jonathan said to his armor bearer, "Come up after me, for the LORD has given them into the hands of Israel."

Then Jonathan climbed up on his hands and feet, with his armor bearer behind him; and they fell before Jonathan, and his armor bearer put some to death after him. And that first slaughter which Jonathan and his armor bearer made was about _______ men within about half a furrow in an acre of land. And there was a trembling in the camp, in the field, and among all the people. Even the garrison and the raiders trembled, and the earth quaked so that it became a great trembling.

How many men did Jonathan and his armor bearer kill in the first round of battle?

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Photo For 02/24/2013

Columbine at Geneva City…

Points To Ponder 02/24/2013

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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Proverbs 26:20 - For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, contention quiets down.
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BIBLE QUIZ: 
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(Old Testament/Stories of Samuel, Saul and David (I Samuel 14:1ff)

One day Jonathan son of Saul said to the young man bearing his armor, "Come, let's go over to the Philistine outpost on the other side." But he did not tell his father. Saul was staying on the outskirts of Gibeah under a pomegranate tree in Migron. With him were about six hundred men, among whom was Ahijah, who was wearing an ephod. He was a son of Ichabod's brother Ahitub son of Phinehas, the son of Eli, the LORD's priest in Shiloh. No one was aware that Jonathan had left. On each side of the pass that Jonathan intended to cross to reach the Philistine outpost was a cliff; one was called Bozez, and the other Seneh. One cliff stood to the north toward Micmash, the other to the south toward Geba. Jonathan said to his young armor-bearer, "Come, let's go over to the outpost of those uncircumcised fellows. Perhaps the LORD will act in our behalf. Nothing can hinder the LORD from saving, whether by many or by few." "Do all that you have in mind," his armor-bearer said. "Go ahead; I am with you heart and soul." Jonathan said, "Come, then; we will cross over toward the men and let them see us. If they say to us . . . . .

What was to be the sign that the LORD had given the Philistines into Jonathan’s hands.

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Photo For 02/23/2013

Another old cabin in lower Geneva City…

Points To Ponder 02/23/2013

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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"My reading of history convinces me that most bad government results from too much government." - Thomas Jefferson
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BIBLE QUIZ: 
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(Old Testament/Stories of Samuel, Saul and David (I Samuel 13:13ff)

And Samuel said to Saul, "You have acted foolishly; you have not kept the commandment of the LORD your God, which He commanded you, for now the LORD would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. "But now your kingdom shall not endure. The LORD has sought out for Himself a man after His own heart, and the LORD has appointed him as ruler over His people, because you have not kept what the LORD commanded you."

         Then Samuel arose and went up from Gilgal to Gibeah of Benjamin. And Saul numbered the people who were present with him, about six hundred men. Now Saul and his son Jonathan and the people who were present with them were staying in Geba of Benjamin while the Philistines camped at Michmash. And the raiders came from the camp of the Philistines in three companies: one company turned toward Ophrah, to the land of Shual, and another company turned toward Beth-horon, and another company turned toward the border which overlooks the valley of Zeboim toward the wilderness. Now no blacksmith could be found in all the land of Israel . . . . .

Why were there no blacksmiths in the land of Israel?

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Photo For 02/22/2013

Our vehicles and at the mine and the remains of an old truck…

Points To Ponder 02/22/2013

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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People who use their own strength and outside forces become weary long range…….However, the Christian draws his strength from the Lord.

Psalm 37:39-40

But the salvation of the righteous is from the LORD; He is their strength in time of trouble. And the LORD helps them, and delivers them; He delivers them from the wicked, and saves them, because they take refuge in Him.

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BIBLE QUIZ: 
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(Old Testament/Stories of Samuel, Saul and David (I Samuel 13:1ff)

Saul was [thirty] years old when he became king, and he reigned over Israel [forty] two years. Saul chose three thousand men from Israel; two thousand were with him at Micmash and in the hill country of Bethel, and a thousand were with Jonathan at Gibeah in Benjamin. The rest of the men he sent back to their homes. Jonathan attacked the Philistine outpost at Geba, and the Philistines heard about it. Then Saul had the trumpet blown throughout the land and said, "Let the Hebrews hear!" So all Israel heard the news: "Saul has attacked the Philistine outpost, and now Israel has become a stench to the Philistines." And the people were summoned to join Saul at Gilgal. The Philistines assembled to fight Israel, with three thousand chariots, six thousand charioteers, and soldiers as numerous as the sand on the seashore. They went up and camped at Micmash, east of Beth Aven. When the men of Israel saw that their situation was critical and that their army was hard pressed, they hid in caves and thickets, among the rocks, and in pits and cisterns. Some Hebrews even crossed the Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead. Saul remained at Gilgal, and all the troops with him were quaking with fear.

Saul waited seven days, the time set by Samuel; but Samuel did not come to Gilgal, and Saul's men began to scatter.

What sin did Saul commit when Samuel did not show up at the appointed time?

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Photo For 02/21/2013

Inside the old cabin we saw yesterday….

Points To Ponder 02/21/2013

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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Our words are often first drafts, a lot of corrections are necessary!
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BIBLE QUIZ: 
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(Old Testament/Stories of Samuel, Saul and David (I Samuel 12:1ff)

Then Samuel said to all Israel, "Behold, I have listened to your voice in all that you said to me, and I have appointed a king over you . . . . . . . . . .  [because] "When you saw that Nahash the king of the sons of Ammon came against you, you said to me, 'No, but a king shall reign over us,' although the LORD your God {was} your king. "Now therefore, here is the king whom you have chosen, whom you have asked for, and behold, the LORD has set a king over you. "If you will fear the LORD and serve Him, and listen to His voice and not rebel against the command of the LORD, then both you and also the king who reigns over you will follow the LORD your God. "And if you will not listen to the voice of the LORD, but rebel against the command of the LORD, then the hand of the LORD will be against you, {as it was} against your fathers. "Even now, take your stand and see this great thing which the LORD will do before your eyes.

"Is it not the wheat harvest today? I will call to the LORD, ……………………..

What did Samuel call upon the Lord to do?……..

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Photo For 02/20/2013

An old cabin at the mine in Geneva City.

Point To Ponder 02/20/2013

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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“Wherever there is a fearful response on our part there is a faithful reassurance on God's.”  David Jeremiah
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BIBLE QUIZ: 
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(Old Testament/Stories of Samuel, Saul and David (I Samuel 11:1ff)

After Saul was anoited king Nahash the Ammonite came up and besieged Jabesh-gilead; and all the men of Jabesh said to Nahash, "Make a covenant with us and we will serve you." But Nahash the Ammonite said to them, "I will make {it} with you on this condition, that I will gouge out the right eye of every one of you, thus I will make it a reproach on all Israel." And the elders of Jabesh said to him, "Let us alone for seven days, that we may send messengers throughout the territory of Israel. Then, if there is no one to deliver us, we will come out to you." Then the messengers came to Gibeah of Saul and spoke these words in the hearing of the people, and all the people lifted up their voices and wept.

Now behold, Saul was coming from the field behind the oxen; and he said, "What is {the matter} with the people that they weep?" So they related to him the words of the men of Jabesh. Then the Spirit of God came upon Saul mightily when he heard these words, and he became very angry. And he took a yoke of oxen and cut them in pieces, and sent {them} throughout the territory of Israel by the hand of messengers, saying, "Whoever does not come out after Saul and after Samuel, so shall it be done to his oxen." Then the dread of the LORD fell on the people, and they came out as one man. And he numbered them in Bezek; and the sons of Israel were 300,000, and the men of Judah 30,000. And they said to the messengers who had come, "Thus you shall say to the men of Jabesh-gilead, 'Tomorrow, by the time the sun is hot, you shall have deliverance.'" So the messengers went and told the men of Jabesh; and they were glad. Then the men of Jabesh said, "Tomorrow we will come out to you, and you may do to us whatever seems good to you."

What happened the next morning……..

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Photo For 02/19/2013

Another view of the old cabin we saw in Geneva City yesterday. As you can see it’s located in a spectacular basin…

Points To Ponder 02/19/2013

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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There's a difference between knowing God and knowing about God. When you truly know God, you have energy to serve him, boldness to share him, and contentment in him. - J.I. Packer
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BIBLE QUIZ: 
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(Old Testament/Stories of Samuel, Saul and David (I Samuel 10:10ff)

When they came to the hill there, behold, a group of prophets met him; and the Spirit of God came upon him mightily, so that he prophesied among them. And it came about, when all who knew him previously saw that he prophesied now with the prophets, that the people said to one another, "What has happened to the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets?" And a man there answered and said, "Now, who is their father?" Therefore it became a proverb: "Is Saul also among the prophets?" When he had finished prophesying, he came to the high place. . . . . . .

Thereafter Samuel called the people together to the LORD at Mizpah; and he said to the sons of Israel, "Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, 'I brought Israel up from Egypt, and I delivered you from the hand of the Egyptians, and from the power of all the kingdoms that were oppressing you.' "But you today rejected your God, who delivers you from all your calamities and your distresses; yet you have said, 'No, but set a king over us!' Now therefore, present yourselves before the LORD by your tribes and by your clans." Thus Samuel brought all the tribes of Israel near, and the tribe of Benjamin was taken by lot. Then he brought the tribe of Benjamin near by its families, and the Matrite family was taken. And Saul the son of Kish was taken; but when they looked for him, he could not be found.

Where was Saul that they could not find him??

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Photo For 02/18/2013

Another old cabin at Geneva City in 2005. You can see the mine in the left background.

Points To Ponder 02/18/2013

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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What one person receives without working for, another person must work for without receiving.
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BIBLE QUIZ: 
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(Old Testament/Stories of Samuel, Saul and David (I Samuel 10:1ff)

Then Samuel took the flask of oil, poured it on his head (Saul), kissed him and said, "Has not the LORD anointed you a ruler over His inheritance? "When you go from me today, then you will find two men close to Rachel's tomb in the territory of Benjamin at Zelzah; and they will say to you, 'The donkeys which you went to look for have been found. Now behold, your father has ceased to be concerned about the donkeys and is anxious for you, saying, "What shall I do about my son?"' "Then you will go on further from there, and you will come as far as the oak of Tabor, and there three men going up to God at Bethel will meet you, one carrying three kids, another carrying three loaves of bread, and another carrying a jug of wine; and they will greet you and give you two {loaves} of bread, which you will accept from their hand." Afterward you will come to the hill of God where the Philistine garrison is; and it shall be as soon as you have come there to the city, that you will meet a group of prophets coming down from the high place with harp, tambourine, flute, and a lyre before them, and they will be prophesying. "Then ………………………..

Then what was to happen next?

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Photo For 02/17/2012

Another old cabin in Geneva City in 1971…By 2005 the cabin had collapsed…

Points To Ponder 02/17/2012

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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“Obedience is not arriving at a perpetual state of godliness but perpetually following hard after God.” - Beth Moore
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BIBLE QUIZ: 
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(Old Testament/Stories of Samuel, Saul and David (I Samuel 9:18-10:1ff)

Then Saul approached Samuel in the gate, and said, "Please tell me where the seer's house is." And Samuel answered Saul and said, "I am the seer. Go up before me to the high place, for you shall eat with me today; and in the morning I will let you go, and will tell you all that is on your mind. "And as for your donkeys which were lost three days ago, do not set your mind on them, for they have been found. And for whom is all that is desirable in Israel? Is it not for you and for all your father's household?" And Saul answered and said, "Am I not a Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel, and my family the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin? Why then do you speak to me in this way?" Then Samuel took Saul and his servant and brought them into the hall, and gave them a place at the head of those who were invited, who were about thirty men. And Samuel said to the cook, "Bring the portion that I gave you, concerning which I said to you, 'Set it aside.'" Then the cook took up the leg with what was on it and set {it} before Saul. And {Samuel} said, "Here is what has been reserved! Set {it} before you {and} eat, because it has been kept for you until the appointed time, since I said I have invited the people." So Saul ate with Samuel that day. When they came down from the high place into the city, {Samuel} spoke with Saul on the roof. And they arose early; and it came about at daybreak that Samuel called to Saul on the roof, saying, "Get up, that I may send you away." So Saul arose, and both he and Samuel went out into the street. As they were going down to the edge of the city, Samuel said to Saul, "Say to the servant that he might go ahead of us and pass on, but you remain standing now, that I may proclaim the word of God to you."

What was the word of God that Samuel shared with Saul that day? What else did Samuel do for Saul?

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Photo For 02/16/2013

Roughly the same view from inside the log cabin we looked at yesterday only in 2005. This  old cabin is slowly disappearing.…

Points To Ponder 02/16/2013

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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If there be ground for you to trust in your own righteousness, then, all that Christ did to purchase salvation, and all that God did to prepare the way for it is in vain.  - Jonathan Edwards
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BIBLE QUIZ: 
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(Old Testament/Stories of Samuel, Saul and David (I Samuel 9:3ff)

Now the donkeys belonging to Saul's father Kish were lost, and Kish said to his son Saul, "Take one of the servants with you and go and look for the donkeys." So he passed through the hill country ………………….., but they did not find them. When they reached the district of Zuph, Saul said to the servant who was with him, "Come, let's go back, or my father will stop thinking about the donkeys and start worrying about us." But the servant replied, "Look, in this town there is a man of God; he is highly respected, and everything he says comes true. Let's go there now. Perhaps he will tell us what way to take."……………….. So they set out for the town where the man of God was. As they were going up the hill to the town, they met some girls coming out to draw water, and they asked them, "Is the seer here?" "He is," they answered. "He's ahead of you. Hurry now; he has just come to our town today, for the people have a sacrifice at the high place. As soon as you enter the town, you will find him before he goes up to the high place to eat. The people will not begin eating until he comes, because he must bless the sacrifice; afterward, those who are invited will eat. Go up now; you should find him about this time." They went up to the town, and as they were entering it, there was Samuel, coming toward them on his way up to the high place.

Now the day before Saul came, the LORD had revealed this to Samuel:

What had the Lord revealed to Samuel the day before Saul arrived??

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Photo For 02/15/2013

Inside the log cabin we looked at yesterday in 1971…

Points To Ponder 02/15/2013

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." - Benjamin Franklin
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BIBLE QUIZ: 
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(Old Testament/Stories of Samuel, Saul and David (I Samuel 8:4-9:2)

Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah; and they said to him, "Behold, you have grown old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint a king for us to judge us like all the nations." But the thing was displeasing in the sight of Samuel when they said, "Give us a king to judge us." And Samuel prayed to the LORD………………….

And the LORD said to Samuel, "Listen to their voice, and appoint them a king." So Samuel said to the men of Israel, "Go every man to his city."

Now there was a man of Benjamin whose name was Kish the son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Becorath, the son of Aphiah, the son of a Benjamite, a mighty man of valor. And he had a son whose name was _______, a choice and handsome {man,} and there was not a more handsome person than he among the sons of Israel……………………

What was the name of the son of Kish? Besides being handsome what other characteristic set him apart from everyone else?

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Photo For 02/14/2013

This was not taken at Geneva City, but at the ghost town of Russell Gulch, Colorado. Seeing that this is the Valentine’s Day PTP this is a photo of an aspen tree that I carved Vicki and my initials on in 1965…It and we are still going strong :0) Happy Valentine’s Day Vicki Jo…

Points To Ponder 02/14/2013

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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Proverbs 4:23 - Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it {flow} the springs of life.
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BIBLE QUIZ: 
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(Old Testament/Stories of Samuel, Saul and David (I Samuel 8:1-3)

And it came about when Samuel was old that he appointed his sons judges over Israel.

Now the name of his first-born was Joel, and the name of his second, Abijah; {they} were judging in Beersheba.

Samuel was one of the earliest of the GREAT Hebrew prophets (after Moses) and the last judge of Israel.

Did his sons follow his footsteps as good judges?

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Photo For 02/13/2013

One of the first structures we encounter at Geneva City is this log cabin…

Points To Ponder 02/13/2013

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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This is one of the sad conditions of life, that experience is not transmissible. No man will learn from the suffering of another; he must suffer himself. - James H. Aughey
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BIBLE QUIZ: 
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(Old Testament/Stories of Samuel, Saul and David (I Samuel 7:13-17)

So the Philistines were subdued, and they came no more into the coast of Israel: and the hand of the LORD was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel. And the cities which the Philistines had taken from Israel were restored to Israel, from Ekron even unto Gath; and the coasts thereof did Israel deliver out of the hands of the Philistines. And there was peace between Israel and the Amorites. And Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life. And he went from year to year in circuit to Bethel, and Gilgal, and Mizpeh, and judged Israel in all those places.

In what city was Samuel’s house? __________

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