Photo For 07/01/2013

"Move over buddy…I’m coming in for a landing…"

Points To Ponder 07/01/2013

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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The thing that counts most in the pursuit of happiness is choosing the right traveling companions.
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BIBLE QUIZ: 
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Old Testament/Stories of David (II Samuel 17:1 ff)

 . . . Moreover Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Let me now choose out twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue after David this night: And I will come upon him while he is weary and weak handed, and will make him afraid: and all the people that are with him shall flee; and I will smite the king only: And I will bring back all the people unto thee: the man whom thou seekest is as if all returned: so all the people shall be in peace. And the saying pleased Absalom well, and all the elders of Israel. Then said Absalom, Call now Hushai the Archite also, and let us hear likewise what he says. And when Hushai was come to Absalom, Absalom spoke unto him, saying, Ahithophel hath spoken after this manner: shall we do after his saying? If not; speak thou. And Hushai said unto Absalom, The counsel that Ahithophel hath given . . . .

 

What was Hushai’s comment about the counsel of Ahithophel unto Absalom?

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Photo For 06/30/2013

Humming bird at St. Elmo, Colorado…

Points To Ponder 06/30/2013

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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Nothing is easy to the unwilling. Nikki Giovanni
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BIBLE QUIZ: 
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Old Testament/Stories of David (II Samuel 16:15 ff)

. . . And Absalom, and all the people the men of Israel, came to Jerusalem, and Ahithophel with him. And it came to pass, when Hushai the Archite, David's friend, was come unto Absalom, that Hushai said unto Absalom, God save the king, God save the king. And Absalom said to Hushai, Is this thy kindness to thy friend? why wentest thou not with thy friend? And Hushai said unto Absalom, Nay; but whom the LORD, and this people, and all the men of Israel, choose, his will I be, and with him will I abide. And again, whom should I serve? Should I not serve in the presence of his son, as I have served in thy father's presence, so will I be in thy presence. Then said Absalom to Ahithophel, Give counsel among you what we shall do. And Ahithophel said unto Absalom, . . . .

What was the counsel of Ahithophel unto Absalom?

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Photo For 06/29/2013

Columbine on our back porch…

Points To Ponder 06/29/2013

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POINTS TO PONDER:

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Daily pickups prevent weekly pileups.

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BIBLE QUIZ: 

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Old Testament/Stories of David (II Samuel 16:5 ff)

 . . . And when king David came to Bahurim, behold, there came out a man of the family of the house of Saul, whose name was Shimei, the son of Gera: he came forth, and cursed still as he came. And he cast stones at David, and at all the servants of king David: and all the people and all the mighty men were on his right hand and on his left. And thus said Shimei when he cursed, Come out, come out, thou bloody man, and thou man of Belial: The LORD hath returned upon thee all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose stead thou hast reigned; and the LORD hath delivered the kingdom into the hand of Absalom thy son: and, behold, thou art taken in thy mischief, because thou art a bloody man. Then said Abishai the son of Zeruiah unto the king, Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Let me go over, I pray thee, and take off his head. And the king said . . . .

What order did the king give to Abishai regarding Shimei?

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Photo For 06/28/2013

Humming bird at St. Elmo, Colorado…

Points To Ponder 06/28/2013

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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The time to relax is when you don't have the time for it.
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BIBLE QUIZ: 
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Old Testament/Stories of David (II Samuel 16:1 ff)

. . . And when David was a little past the top of the hill, behold, Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth met him, with a couple of donkeys saddled, and upon them two hundred loaves of bread, and an hundred bunches of raisins, and an hundred of summer fruits, and a bottle of wine. And the king said unto Ziba, What meanest thou by these? And Ziba said, The donkeys be for the king's household to ride on; and the bread and summer fruit for the young men to eat; and the wine, that such as be faint in the wilderness may drink. And the king said, And where is thy master's son? And Ziba said unto the king, Behold, he abideth at Jerusalem: for he said, To day shall the house of Israel restore me the kingdom of my father. Then said the king to Ziba, Behold, thine are all that pertained unto Mephibosheth. And Ziba said, I humbly beseech thee that I may find grace in thy sight, my lord, O king. . . .

Was Ziba being truthful with David in regards to Mephibosheth? (see II Samuel 19:25)

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Photo For 06/27/2013

Black Swallowtail Butterfly at the Legler Barn Museum…

Points To Ponder 06/27/2013

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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Exercise daily - - walk with the Lord.
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BIBLE QUIZ: 
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Old Testament/Stories of David (II Samuel 15:30 ff)

 . . . And David went up by the ascent of mount Olivet, and _______ as he went up, and had his ___________ covered, and he went ____________: and all the people that was with him covered every man his head, and they went up, weeping as they went up. And one told David, saying, Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom. And David said, O LORD, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness. And it came to pass, that when David was come to the top of the mount, where he worshipped God . . . .

Fill in the blanks above……….

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Photo For 06/26/2013

A view of the backside of the buildings at St. Elmo, Colorado…

Points To Ponder 06/26/2013

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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To become Christ-like is the only thing in the whole world worth caring for, the thing before which every ambition of man is folly and all lower achievement vain. - Henry Drummond
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BIBLE QUIZ: 
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Old Testament/Stories of David (II Samuel 15:16ff)

 . . . And the king went forth, and all his household after him. And the king left ten women, which were concubines, to keep the house. And the king went forth, and all the people after him, and tarried in a place that was far off. And all his servants passed on beside him; and all the Cherethites, and all the Pelethites, and all the Gittites, six hundred men which came after him from Gath, passed on before the king. . . . . .  And all the country wept with a loud voice, and all the people passed over: the king also himself passed over the brook Kidron, and all the people passed over, toward the way of the wilderness. And lo Zadok also, and all the Levites were with him, bearing the ark of the covenant of God: and they set down the ark of God; and Abiathar went up, until all the people had done passing out of the city. And the king said unto Zadok, .

 

What did David tell Zadok to do with the ark of God?

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Photo For 06/24/2013

An old building being restored at St. Elmo, Colorado…

Points To Ponder 06/24/2013

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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Be life long or short, its completeness depends on what it was lived for. - David Starr Jordan
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BIBLE QUIZ: 
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Old Testament/Stories of David (II Samuel 15:6ff)

 . . . And on this manner did Absalom to all Israel that came to the king for judgment: so Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel. And it came to pass after four years, that Absalom said unto the king, I pray thee, let me go and pay my vow, which I have vowed unto the LORD, in Hebron. For thy servant vowed a vow while I abode at Geshur in Syria, saying, If the LORD shall bring me again indeed to Jerusalem, then I will serve the LORD. And the king said unto him, Go in peace. So he arose, and went to Hebron. But Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, As soon as ye hear the sound of the trumpet, then ye shall say, Absalom reigneth in Hebron. And with Absalom went two hundred men out of Jerusalem, that were called; and they went in their simplicity, and they knew not anything. And Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David's counsellor, from his city, even from Giloh, while he offered sacrifices. And the conspiracy was strong; for the people increased continually with Absalom. And there came a messenger to David, saying, The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom . . .

 

What did David do when he found out about the conspiracy Absalom was planning?

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Photo For 06/22/2012

A vintage door knob at St. Elmo, Colorado…

Points To Ponder 06/22/2013

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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The first rule of home or auto repair: It’s much easier to take something apart than to put it back together again.
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BIBLE QUIZ: 
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Old Testament/Stories of David (II Samuel 14:29ff)

 . . . Therefore Absalom sent for Joab, to have sent him to the king; but he would not come to him: and when he sent again the second time, he would not come. Therefore he said unto his servants, See, Joab's field is near mine, and he hath barley there; go and set it on fire. And Absalom's servants set the field on fire. Then Joab arose, and came to Absalom unto his house, and said unto him, Wherefore have thy servants set my field on fire? And Absalom answered Joab, Behold, I sent unto thee, saying, Come hither, that I may send thee to the king, to say, Wherefore am I come from Geshur? it had been good for me to have been there still: now therefore let me see the king's face; and if there be any iniquity in me, let him kill me. So Joab came to the king, and told him: and when he had called for Absalom, he came to the king, and bowed himself on his face to the ground before the king: and the king kissed Absalom.

And it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him. And Absalom rose up early, and . . .

What did Absalom do when he rose early? What was his motive?

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Photo For 06/21/2013

A buckeye moth at the park…

Points To Ponder 0621/2013

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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It’s not the load that breaks you down; it’s the way you carry it.
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BIBLE QUIZ: 
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Old Testament/Stories of David (II Samuel 14:27ff)

 . . . And unto Absalom there were born three sons, and one daughter, whose name was Tamar: she was a woman of a fair countenance. So Absalom dwelt two full years in Jerusalem, and saw not the king's face. Therefore Absalom sent for Joab, to have sent him to the king; but he would not come to him: and when he sent again the second time, he would not come. Therefore he said unto his servants, . . . .

What did Absalom have his servants do to finally get Jaob to come see him?

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Photo For 06/20/2013

Peeling paint on a RED door at St. Elmo……….…Hummmm…….

Points To Ponder 06/20/2013

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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It’s difficult to excel at something you don’t truly enjoy. Jack Nicklaus
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BIBLE QUIZ: 
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Old Testament/Stories of David (II Samuel 14:23ff)

 . . . . So Joab arose and went to Geshur, and brought Absalom to Jerusalem. And the king said, Let him turn to his own house, and let him not see my face. So Absalom returned to his own house, and saw not the king's face.

But in all Israel there was none to be so much praised as Absalom for his beauty: from the sole of his foot even to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him. And when he cut the hair of his head (and it was at the end of every ______ that he cut it, for it was heavy on him so he cut it), he weighed the hair of his head at 200 shekels by the king's weight. . . .

How often did Absalom cut his hair? (200 Shekels would be equal to about 5 pounds according to most sources).

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Photo For 06/19/2013

Day lily in our backyard in 2010….

Points To Ponder 06/19/2013

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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Don’t count the days - make the days count. Ed Agresta
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BIBLE QUIZ: 
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Old Testament/Stories of David (II Samuel 14:19ff)

 . . . . And the king said, Is not the hand of Joab with you in all this? And the woman answered and said, As thy soul liveth, my lord the king, none can turn to the right hand or to the left from ought that my lord the king hath spoken: for thy servant Joab, he bade me, and he put all these words in the mouth of your handmaid: To fetch about this form of speech hath thy servant Joab done this thing: and my lord is wise, according to the wisdom of an angel of God, to know all things that are in the earth.

And the king said unto Joab, Behold now, I have done this thing: go therefore, bring the young man Absalom again. And Joab fell to the ground on his face, and bowed himself, and thanked the king: and Joab said, Today your servant knows that I have found grace in thy sight, my lord, O king, in that the king hath fulfilled the request of his servant. So Joab arose and went to Geshur, and brought Absalom to Jerusalem. . . .

Joab was successful in getting Absalom brought back to Jerusalem, however, this did not totally resolve the issue….why not?

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Photo For 06/18/2013

An old wringer washing machine and other junk at St. Elmo, Colorado…

Points To Ponder 06/18/2011

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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If you have money in the bank, money in your wallet, and spare change in a dish someplace...you are among the top 8% of the world's wealthy.
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BIBLE QUIZ: 
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Old Testament/Stories of David (II Samuel 14:1ff)

 . . . . Now Joab the son of Zeruiah perceived that the king's heart was toward Absalom. And Joab sent to Tekoah, and fetched thence a wise woman, and said unto her, I pray thee, feign thyself to be a mourner, and put on now mourning apparel, and anoint not thyself with oil, but be as a woman that had a long time mourned for the dead: And come to the king, and speak on this manner unto him. So Joab put the words in her mouth. And when the woman of Tekoah spake to the king, she fell on her face to the ground, and did obeisance, and said . . .

What did Joab have the woman of Tekoah say to David? What was his purpose in having her speak to David?

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Photo For o6/14/2013

Out at the park…

Points To Ponder 06/14/2013

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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Backbone beats wishbone every time.
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BIBLE QUIZ: 
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Old Testament/Stories of David (II Samuel 13:18ff)

. . . And she had a garment of many colors upon her: for with such robes were the king's daughters that were virgins apparelled. Then his servant brought her out, and bolted the door after her. And Tamar put ashes on her head, and rent her garment of diverse colors that was on her, and laid her hand on her head, and went on crying. And Absalom her brother said unto her, Hath Amnon thy brother been with thee? But hold now thy peace, my sister: he is thy brother; regard not this thing. So Tamar remained desolate in her brother Absalom's house. But when king David heard of all these things, he was very wroth. And Absalom spoke unto his brother Amnon neither good nor bad: for Absalom hated Amnon, because he had forced his sister Tamar. And it came to pass after two full years, that Absalom had sheepshearers in Baalhazor, which is beside Ephraim: and Absalom invited all the king's sons. And Absalom came to the king .

 

What was Absalom’s plan for getting even with Amnon?

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Photo For 06/13/2013

An old door on a building at St. Elmo…You can see the reflection of the trees and the mountain behind us in the transom window…

Points To Poder 06/13/2013

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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When you are right, no one remembers. When you are wrong, no one forgets.
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BIBLE QUIZ: 
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Old Testament/Stories of David (II Samuel 13:15ff)

. . . Then Amnon hated her exceedingly; so that the hatred wherewith he hated her was greater than the love wherewith he had loved her. And Amnon said unto her, Arise, be gone. And she said unto him, There is no cause: this evil in sending me away is greater than the other that thou didst unto me. But he would not hearken unto her. Then he called his servant that ministered unto him, and said, Put now this woman out from me, and bolt the door after her. And she had a garment of diverse colors upon her: for with such robes were the king's daughters that were virgins apparelled. Then his servant brought her out, and bolted the door after her. And Tamar. . . .

 

What did Tamar do after she was raped and put out of Amnon’s house?

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Photo For 06/12/2013

A butterfly shot from last year….

Points To Ponder 06/12/2013

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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Many of life’s circumstances are created by three basic choices: the disciplines you choose to keep, the people you choose to be with, and the laws you choose to obey.  - Charles Millhuff
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BIBLE QUIZ: 
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Old Testament/Stories of David (II Samuel 13:1ff)

. . . And Jonadab said unto him, Lay down on your bed, and make yourself sick: and when your fathers comes to see you, say unto him, I pray thee, let my sister Tamar come, and give me meat, and dress the meat in my sight, that I may see it, and eat it at her hand. So Amnon lay down, and made himself sick: and when the king was come to see him, Amnon said unto the king, I pray thee, let Tamar my sister come, and make me a couple of cakes in my sight, that I may eat at her hand. Then David sent home to Tamar, saying, Go now to thy brother Amnon's house, and dress him meat. So Tamar went to her brother Amnon's house; and he was laid down. And she took flour, and kneaded it, and made cakes in his sight, and did bake the cakes. And she took a pan, and poured them out before him; but he refused to eat. And Amnon said, Have out all men from me. And they went out every man from him. And Amnon said unto Tamar, Bring the meat into the chamber, that I may eat of thine hand. And Tamar took the cakes which she had made, and brought them into the chamber to Amnon her brother. And when she had brought them unto him to eat, he took hold of her, and said unto her, Come lie with me, my sister. And she answered him, No, my brother, do not force me; for no such thing ought to be done in Israel: do not thou this folly. And I, whither shall I cause my shame to go? And as for thee, you shall be as one of the fools in Israel. Now therefore, I pray thee, speak unto the king; for he will not withhold me from thee. Howbeit he would not hearken unto her voice: but, being stronger than she, forced her, and lay with her. Then . . . .

What did Amnon do after he raped Tamar?
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Photo For 06/09/2013

The original lettering on the transom window of the Stark Bros. store in St. Elmo, Colorado…

Points To Ponder 06/09/2013

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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Someday is NOT a day of the week.
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BIBLE QUIZ: 
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Old Testament/Stories of David (II Samuel 12:19ff)

. . . But when David saw that his servants whispered, David perceived that the child was dead: therefore David said unto his servants, Is the child dead? And they said, He is dead.

Then David arose from the earth, and washed, and anointed himself, and changed his apparel, and came into the house of the LORD, and worshipped: then he came to his own house; and when he required, they set bread before him, and he did eat. Then said his servants unto him, What thing is this that you have done? You did fast and weep for the child, while it was alive; but when the child was dead, you did rise and eat bread. And he said, . . . . .

What was David’s answer to his servants as to why he was no longer fasting and weeping after the child died?

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Photo For 06/08/2013

A pink and white columbine from last year.

Points To Ponder 06/08/2013

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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In deep pain, people don't need logic, advice, encouragement, or even Scripture. They just need you to show up and shut up. - Pastor Rick Warren
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BIBLE QUIZ: 
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Old Testament/Stories of David (II Samuel 12:15ff)

. . . And Nathan departed unto his house. And the LORD struck the child that Uriah's wife bare unto David, and it was very sick. David therefore besought God for the child; and David fasted, and went in, and lay all night upon the earth. And the elders of his house arose, and went to him, to raise him up from the earth: but he would not, neither did he eat bread with them. And it came to pass on the seventh day, that the child died. And the servants of David feared to tell him that the child was dead: for they said, Behold, while the child was yet alive, we spoke unto him, and he would not hearken unto our voice: how will he then vex himself, if we tell him that the child is dead? But when David saw that his servants whispered, David perceived that the child was dead: therefore David said unto his servants, Is the child dead? And they said, He is dead. . . . .

What did David do when he found out that the child was dead?
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Photo For 06/07/2013

The Stark Bros. store in St. Elmo…as I remember it this was the last store to close down sometime in the 1950’s…

Points To Ponder 06/07/2013

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POINTS TO PONDER:
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You cannot do a kindness too soon, because you never know how soon it will be too late.
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BIBLE QUIZ: 
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Old Testament/Stories of David (II Samuel 12:13ff)

. . . And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; you shall not die. However, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme . . . 

David would not die for this sin….however, someone would….who would that someone be?

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Photo For 06/06/2013

Points To Ponder 06/06/2013

A miniature firecracker columbine back by our water garden and waterfall…
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POINTS TO PONDER:
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The reason most people fail instead of succeed is that they trade what they want most for what they want at the moment.
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BIBLE QUIZ: 
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Old Testament/Stories of David (II Samuel 12:7ff)

. . . And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man. Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul; And I gave thee thy master's house, and thy master's wives into thy bosom, and gave thee the house of Israel and of Judah; and if that had been too little, I would moreover have given unto thee such and such things. Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the LORD, to do evil in his sight? You have killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and have taken his wife to be thy wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon. Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thine house; because thou hast despised me, and hast taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife. Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will raise up evil against thee out of your own house, and I will take your wives before your eyes, and give them unto thy neighbor, and he shall lie with thy wives in the sight of this sun. For thou didst it secretly: but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun. And David said unto Nathan, . . . .

What did David say to Nathan?

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