Saturday July 31, 2010 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-Prayer is a reminder of our dependency on God-

2-Happiness is a deliberate choice, not an automatic response-

3-Trust God, believe in yourself and you can do anything or be anybody-

4-The earth was made for us to enjoy but was not made for our convenience-

5-True repentance brings healing-

STRANGE THOUGHT-Those persons who are dog tired like to growl about it-

I'VE LEARNED-A real failure is one that teaches us nothing-

DID YOU KNOW-People in Iceland read more books per capita than any other people in the world-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Why were the "sons of God" attracted to the "daughters of men"?

2-Cain was married, was Abel married?

3-Could Cain have had a family with anyone but his sister?

4-How many children did Adam and Eve produce?

5-How many sons, how many daughters did Adam and Eve have?

BIBLE TRIVA-What prostitute became a hero for saving the life of Joshua's spies and was so honored in later days that she is listed in the genealogy of Jesus?

Yesterday's answer-Miriam

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY LUKE 2:1-7

1 At that time, Augustus Caesar sent an order that all people in the countries under Roman rule must list their names in a register.

2 This was the first registration; it was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria.

3 And all went to their own towns to be registered.

4 So Joseph left Nazareth, a town in Galilee, and went to the town of Bethlehem in Judea, known as the town of David.

5 Joseph registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was now pregnant.

6 While they were in Bethlehem the time came for Mary to have the baby,

7 and she gave birth to her first son. Because there were no rooms left in the inn, she wrapped the baby with pieces of cloth and laid him in a box where animals are fed.

I WISH YOU A DAY FILLED WITH LOVE, LAUGHTER, FORGIVENESS AND THANKSGIVING-JASPER

Fridsay July 30, 2010 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-A boat that stays in the harbor never encounters danger, but it also never gets anywhere-

2-When you are impatient, you become rude-

3-The less you do, the less you want to do-

4-Storms make trees take deeper roots-

5-Success is often defined in the faithfulness not in the achieving-

STRANGE THOUGHT-Dreams come true for those who don't oversleep-

I'VE LEARNED-Opportunities are seldom displayed in neon lights-

DID YOU KNOW-At twelve years old, an African man named Ernest Loftus made his first entry in his diary and continued every day for ninety one years-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Is there anything sacred in how the books of the Bible are arranged?

2-Who were the Nephilim that Joshua and Caleb saw in Canaan?

3-Whatever happened to the Nephilim giants?

4-Were the "sons of God" the descendents of Seth?

5-Were the "daughters of men" the descendents of Cain?

BIBLE TRIVIA-What prophetess was the sister of two great leaders and was once afflicted with leprosy for being rebellious?

Yesterday's answer-Mary and Martha-

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY LUKE 1:76-80

76 "Now you child, will be called a prophet of the Most High God. You will go before the Lord to prepare his way.

77 You will make his people know that they will be saved by having their sins forgiven.

78 With the loving mercy of our God, a new day from heaven will dawn upon us.

79 It will shine on those who live in darkness, in the shadow of death. It will guide us into the path of peace."

80 And so the child grew up and became strong in spirit. John lived in the desert until the time when he came out to preach to Israel.

I WISH YOU A DAY FILLED WITH LOVE, LAUGHTER, FORGIVENESS AND THANKSGIVING-JASPER

Thursday July 29, 2010 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-Faith is believing in advance what will make sense only in review-

2-Love is a basket with 5 loves and 2 fish for it is never enough until you start to give it away-

3-A sin of action is a result of a sin condition-

4-Christian living is not burning out, not rusting out, but living out for God-

5-Never contend with someone who has nothing to lose-

STRANGE THOUGHT-Dual airbags---a political debate-

I'VE LEARNED-You can't recycle wasted time-

DID YOU KNOW-In 1898 (fourteen years prior to the Titanic tragedy) Morgan Robertson wrote a novel called "Futility". The plot of the novel turned on the largest ship ever built hitting an iceberg in the Atlantic Ocean on a cold April night.

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Why did God chose the Jews for a special relationship with him?

2-Are the Jews hated so much because they are God's chosen people?

3-Who do we say Jesus is by the way we live?

4-Can anger be a good thing?

5 If salvation is not of works, why are Christian always prodded "to do more"?

BIBLE TRIVIA-What two sisters of Bethany had a brother named Lazarus and were close friends of Jesus?

Yesterday's answer-Esther

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY LUKE 1:67-75

67 Then Zechariah, John's father, was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied:

68 "Let us praise the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come to help his people and has given them freedom.

69 He has given us a powerful Savior from the family of God's servant David.

70 He said that he would do this through his holy prophets who lived long ago:

71 He promised he would save us from our enemies and from the power of all those who hate us.

72 He said he would give mercy to our fathers and that he would remember his holy promise.

73 God promised Abraham, our father,

74 that he would save us from the power of our enemies so we could serve him without fear,

75 being holy and good before God as long as we live.

I WISH YOU A DAY FILLED WITH LOVE, LAUGHTER, FORGIVENESS AND THANKSGIVING-JASPER

Wednesday July 28, 2010 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-Having a child is to decide to forever have your heart go walking outside of your body-

2-The higher the value, the greater the feeling-

3-The man who borrow trouble is always in debt-

4-Good advice will usually work best when preceded by a bad scare-

5-The best way to get even is to forget-

STRANGE THOUGHT-Only the electric company has the power to make everyone see the light-

I'VE LEARNED-It is not fair to ask of others what you are unwilling to do yourself-

DID YOU KNOW-Guinness World Records holds the record of being the book most often stolen from public libraries-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Were the disciples filled with the Holy Spirit prior to Pentecost?

2-Did all the disciples speak in "tongues?"

3-What does it mean to be "God's chosen people?"

4-Why did God chose the Jews to be his "chosen people?"

5-When did the Jews become God's "chosen people?"

BIBLE TRIVIA-What Jewish girl married a Persian emperor and helped save her exiled people from extermination?

Yesterday's answer-Jael

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY LUKE 1:57-66

57 When it was time for Elizabeth to give birth, she had a boy.

58 Her neighbors and relatives heard how good the Lord was to her, and they rejoiced with her.

59 When the baby was eight days old, they came to circumcise him. They want to name him Zechariah because this was his father's name,

60 but his mother said, "No! He will be named John."

61The people said to Elizabeth, "But no one in your family has this name."

62 Then they made signs to his father to find out what he would like to name him.

63 Zechariah asked for a writing tablet and wrote, "His name is John," and everyone was surprised.

64 Immediately Zechariah could talk again, and he began praising God.

65 All their neighbors became alarmed, and in all the mountains of Judea people continued talking about all these things.

66 The people who heard about them wondered, saying,"What will this child be?" because the Lord was with him.

I WISH YOU A DAY FILLED WITH LOVE, LAUGHTER, FORGIVENESS AND THANKSGIVING-JASPER

Tuesday July 20, 2010 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-Any concern too small to be turned into a prayer is too small to be made into a burden-

2-There is a big difference between sympathy for and identity with-

3-Greed is envy with it's sleeves rolled up-

4-Most parents think their kids are doing okay because the kids don't tell them what is going on-

5-Don't wait for tomorrow to look back and wish for today-

STRANGE THOUGHT-Just past the pain threshold is the agony vestibule-

I'VE LEARNED-You can't go back to the beginning and make a fresh start, but you can start fresh from this moment on-

DID YOU KNOW-During his entire lifetime, Herman Melville's timeless class of the sea, "Moby Dick", only sold fifty copies.

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-What are the "careless words" we have spoken which Jesus said we would have to give account for?

2-What is the "Holiness" without which we cannot see God?

3-Is holiness something you seek, something you attain or something given to you?

4-If Satan fell from being with God, how could sin have been in a holy place?

5-Did Jesus ever baptize anyone with the Holy Spirit?

BIBLE TRIVIA-What Israelite woman aided the people by murdering the Canaanite captain Sisera in her tent?

Yesterday's answer-Jezebel

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY LUKE 1:46-56

46 Then Mary said, "My soul praises the Lord;

47 my heart rejoices in God my Savior,

48 because he has shown his concern for his humble servant girl. From now on, all people will say that I am blessed,

49 because the Powerful One had done great things for me. His name is Holy.

50 God will show his mercy forever and ever to those who worship and serve him.

51 He has done mighty deeds by his power. He has scattered the people who are proud and think great things about themselves.

52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones and raised up the humble.

53 He has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away with nothing.

54 He has helped his servant, the people of Israel, remembering to show them mercy

55 as he promised to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his children forever."

56 Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.

I WISH YOU A DAY FILLED WITH LOVE, LAUGHTER, FORGIVENESS AND THANKSGIVING-JASPER

Monday July 19, 2010 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-Sometimes it is better to be at the bottom than halfway up the wrong mountain-

2-Until you make peace with who you are you'll never be content with what you have-

3-Our behavior shapes our emotions-

4-Money is a good servant but a bad master-

5-Make no judgements where you have no compassion-

STRANGE THOUGHT-If you are sure you won't gamble again, don't bet on it-

I'VE LEARNED-If you can't fix it with duct tape, you have an electrical problem-

DID YOU KNOW-Louise May Alcott, author of the classic "Little Women" hated children. She only wrote the book because her publisher asked her to.

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Why was the New Testament term "You Fool!" such a terrible term?

2-Were the Old Testament laws for Old Testament times only?

3-Was the Old Testament directions on tithing for specific occasions only?

4-Is the Sabbath Day to be a day of worship or is everyday?

5-For something to be gossip, does there need to be "ill intent" involved?

BIBLE TRIVIA-What scheming princess of Tyre married and manipulated the weak Ahab and imposed her pagan religion on Israel?

Yesterday's answer-Huldah

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY LUKE 1:39-45

39 Mary got up and went quickly to a town in the hills of Judea.

40 She came to Zechariah's house and greeted Elizabeth.

41 When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the unborn baby inside her jumped, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.

42 She cried out in a loud voice, "God has blessed you more than any other woman, and he has blessed the baby to which you will give birth.

43 Why has this good thing happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me?

44 When I heard your voice, the baby inside me jumped with joy.

45 You are blessed because you believed that what the Lord said to you would really happen."

I WISH YOU A DAY FILLED WITH LOVE, LAUGHTER, FORGIVENESS AND THANKSGIVING-JASPER

Subday July 18, 2010 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY-

1-Mercy triumphs over judgement-

2-A Christian is more likely to sin by their reaction than their action-

3-A child is like your stomach in that it doesn't need all you can afford to give it-

4-You only heal when you face your hurts-

5-Example is better than words-

STRANGE THOUGHT-The cure for boredom is curiosity, for which there is no cure-

I'VE LEARNED-Happiness walks on busy feet-

DID YOU KNOW-Bambi was originally published in 1929 in German-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Is stealing only the taking of things not yours?

2-Were the 10 Commandments a set of rules to follow or guidelines to live by?

3-Were the Old Testament laws given by God for us today also?

4-How do you love your neighbor as yourself?

5-How are we to understand the New testament scripture that says we are God's Temple and that God's Spirit lives in us? It also says that if anyone destroys God's Temple, God will destroy him!

BIBLE TRIVIA-What prophetess, active during the reign of Josiah, consoled the king while chastising the people of Judah?

Yesterday's answer-Elizabeth

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY LUKE1:26-38

26 During Elizabeth's sixth month of pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin.

27 She was engaged to marry a man named Joseph from the family of David. Her name was Mary.

28 The angel came to her and said, "Greetings! The Lord has blessed you and is with you."

29 But Mary was very startled by what this greeting might mean.

30 The angel said to her, "Don't be afraid, Mary; God has shown you his grace.

31 Listen! You will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus.

32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of King David, his ancestor.

33 He will rule over the people of Jacob forever, and his kingdom will never end."

34 Mary said to the angel, "How will this happen since I am a virgin?"

35 The angel said to Mary, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most high will cover you. For this reason the baby will be holy and will be called the Son of God.

36 Now Elizabeth, your relative, is also pregnant with a son though she is very old. Everyone thought she could not have a baby, but she has been pregnant for six months.

37 God can do anything!"

38 Mary said, "I am the servant of the Lord. Let this happen to me as you say!" then the angel went away.

I WISH YOU A DAY FILLED WITH LOVE, LAUGHTER, FORGIVENESS AND THANKSGIVING-JASPER

Saturday July 17, 2010 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-God doesn't take sides, he wants to take over-

2 Life is like a band, we don't all play the same instrument but we must play in harmony-

3-What we criticize in others is often a reflection of our own weakness-

4-What love cannot solve it will endure with sweetness-

5-Do I have to give up me to be loved by you?

STRANGE THOUGHT-Snowflakes are weak and fragile, but together they can blanket a landscape-

I'VE LEARNED-Age is an awful price to pay for maturity-

DID YOU KNOW-The wheel on the game show "Wheel of Fortune" is 102 inches in diameter-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Do you keep the Sabbath day holy by not working on it?

2-Why did God rest on the seventh day of creation? Did he need to?

3-How do you honor your mother and father?

4-Is killing the same as murder?

5-Is adultery only with a married person not your spouse?

BIBLE TRIVIA-What elderly cousin of Mary became the mother of John the Baptist?

Yesterday's answer-Abigail

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY LUKE 1:21-25

21 Outside, the people were still waiting for Zechariah and were surprised that he was staying so long in the temple.

22 When Zechariah came outside, he could not speak to them, and they know he had seen a vision in the Temple. He could only make signs to them and remained unable to speak.

23 When his time of service at the Temple was finished, he went home.

24 Later, Zechariah's wife became pregnant and did not go out of her house for five months. Elizabeth said,

25 "Look what the Lord has done for me! My people were ashamed of me, but now the Lord has taken away that shame.

I WISH YOU A DAY FILLED WITH LOVE, LAUGHTER, FORGIVENESS AND THANKSGIVING-JASPER

Friday July 16, 2010 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-You still are the child you used to be-

2-Our unwanted stress comes from our failure to trust God-

3-Love always comes back full circle--what you give away comes back-

4-Love doesn't destroy the one it loves-

5-When we pray, God changes us and we change things-

STRANGE THOUGHT-Rainmaking isn't all that difficult, just plan a picnic or wash your car-

I'VE LEARNED-All who wander are not lost-

DID YOU KNOW-There are 311,875,200 five card hands possible in a fifty two card deck

Of cards-(I'll take that by faith of be true)

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Were some things permitted in the old testament that we now consider sin?

2-Were some things considered wrong in the old testament that we now consider okay?

3-Does God still punish the children for the sins of their fathers?

4-How do we take the name of God in vain or misuse it?

5-How were the old testament people to do no work on the Sabbath? Did this apply to everyone then and now?

BIBLE TRIVIA-What wife of David had been married to Nabal, who died when she told him of the gifts she had given to David?

Yesterday's answer-Anna

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY LUKE 1:18-20

18 Zechariah said to the angel, "How can I know that what you say is true? I am an old man, and my wife is old, too."

19 The angel answered him, "I am Gabriel. I stand before God, who sent me to talk to you and to tell you this good news.

20 Now listen! You will not be able to speak until the day these things happen, because you did not believe what I told you. But they will really happen."

I WISH YOU A DAY FILLED WITH LOVE, LAUGHTER, FORGIVENESS AND THANKSGIVING-JASPER

Thursday July 15, 2010 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-Every opportunity demands an obligation-

2-If more saints would go out, more sinners would come in-

3-I believe in the sun even when it isn't shining, I believe in love even when I do not feel it, I believe in God even when He is silent-

4-God, help me to leave unsigned notes of love wherever I go-

5-We should try to do one nice thing secretly for someone each day-

STRANGE THOUGHT-Entrance doors to trouble are many and wide, the exits are few and narrow-

I'VE LEARNED-Looking at the bright side of things will improve your insight-

DID YOU KNOW-The total number of bridge hands possible is 54 octillion-(I'll take that by faith)

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Who all in scripture were called righteous?

2-Are there degrees to right and wrong?

3-What does "righteous" mean?

4-How did old testament and new testament people become righteous?

5-How could Lot have been called a righteous man is scripture?

BIBLE TRIVIA-What widowed prophetess was 84 years old when she saw the young Jesus in the temple?

Yesterday's answer-Deborah

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY LUKE 1:8-17

8 One day Zechariah was serving as a priest before God, because his group was on duty.

9 According to the custom of the priests, he was chosen by lot to go into the Temple of the Lord and burn incense.

10 There were a great many people outside praying at the time the incense was offered.

11 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to Zechariah, standing on the right side of the incense table.

12 When he saw the angel, Zechariah was startled and frightened.

13 But the angel said do him, "Zechariah, don't be afraid. God has heard your prayer. Your wife, Elizabeth, will give birth to a son, and you will name him John.

14 He will bring you joy and gladness, and many people will be happy because of his birth.

15 John will be a great man for the Lord. He will never drink wine or beer, and even from birth, he will be filled with the Holy Spirit.

16 He will help many people of Israel return to the Lord their God.

17 He will go before the Lord in spirit and power like Elijah. He will make peace between parents and their children and will bring those who are not obeying God back to the right way of thinking, to make a people ready for the coming of the Lord."

I WISH YOU A DAY FILLED WITH LOVE, LAUGHTER, FORGIVENESS AND THANKSGIVING-JASPER

Wednesday July 14, 2010 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-Rare is the person who can weigh the faults of others without putting his thumb on the scale-

2-It is chance that make men brothers but hearts that makes them friends-

3-We get in trouble in life, not because we ask for too much but because we settle for too little-

4-What we do is who we are-

5-Faith is believing what God says without having to ask any questions-

STRANGE THOUGHT-The naked truth is more appealing when it is dressed in a smile-

I'VE LEARNED-I would rather justify price once than apologize for poor quality the rest of my life-

DID YOU KNOW-There are 225 spaces on a Scrabble board-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Did Adam and Eve have any children while living in the Garden of Eden?

2-From whom did Eve learn about "women things"?

3-How old was Cain and Abel when Abel was killed by Cain?

4-Who gave the proper names to those of the very first family?

5-Were Cain and Abel the first children ever born?

BIBLE TRIVIA-The only female judge of Israel, she judged the tribes from under a palm tree. Her victory song is famous. Who was she?

Yesterday's answer-Laban

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY LUKE 1:1-7 (Luke tells the non Jewish people about Jesus)

1 Many have tried to report on the things that happened among us.

2 They have written the same things that we learned from others--the people who say those things from the beginning and served God by telling people his message.

3 Since I myself have studied everything carefully from the beginning, most excellent Theophilus, it seemed good for me to write it out for you.

4 I arranged it in order to help you know that what you have been taught is true.

5 During the time Herod ruled Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah who belonged to Abijah's group. Zechariah's wife, Elizabeth, came from the family of Aaron.

6 Zechariah and Elizabeth truly did what God said was good. They did everything the Lord commanded and were without fault in keeping his law.

7 But they had no children, because Elizabeth could not have a baby, and both of them were very old.

I WISH YOU A DAY FILLED WITH LOVE, LAUGHTER, FORGIVENESS AND THANKSGIVING-JASPER

Tuesday July 13, 2010 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-A bargain is something you can't use at a price you can't resist-

2-The answer is never yes is you don't ask-

3-Inspect what you expect-

4-The best place to find a helping hand is at the end of your arm-

5-Be too big to be little-

STRANGE THOUGHT-Cultivate good habits, the bad ones grow wild-

I'VE LEARNED-I am because God is-

DID YOU KNOW-A Chinese checkerboard has 121 holes-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-How do you reconcile God's mercy and God's justice?

2-Does God's mercy finally subordinate to God's justice?

3-Can you have mercy without justice?

4-Is it okay to take single scriptures from throughout the Bible and put them together as support for a position or statement?

5-How long did Adam and Eve live in the Garden of Eden before being expelled?

BIBLE TRIVIA-What man ran to meet Abraham's servant at the well?

Yesterday's answer-Mary and Mary Magdalene

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY MARK 16:14 20

(Verses 9-20 are not included in two of the best and oldest Greek manuscripts of Mark)

14 Later Jesus showed himself to the eleven apostles while they were eating, and he criticized them because they had no faith. They were stubborn and refused to believe those who had seen him after he had risen from the dead.

15 Jesus said to his followers, "Go everywhere in the world and tell the Good news to everyone.

16 Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved, but anyone who does not believe will be punished.

17 And those who believe will be able to do these things as proof: They will use my name to force out demons. They will speak in new languages.

18 They will pick up snakes and drink poison without being hurt. They will touch the sick, and the sick will be healed."

19 After the Lord Jesus said these things to his followers, he was carried up into heaven, and he sat at the right side of God.

20 The followers went everywhere in the world and told the Good News to people , and the Lord helped them. The Lord proved that the Good News they told was true by giving them power to work miracles.

This will conclude scripture from Mark!!!

I WISH YOU A DAY FILLED WITH LOVE, LAUGHTER, FORGIVENESS AND THANKSGIVING-JASPER

Monday July 12, 2010 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-Despise not small beginnings-

2-You never start at the top, you start where God opens the door-

3-Better the rebuke of a friend than the kiss of an enemy-

4-Happiness for a husband is a home cooked meal, for the wife, it is eating out-

5-I'm going to stop putting off, starting tomorrow-

STRANGE THOUGHT-Life is like a bath, the longer you stay in it, the more wrinkled you get-

I'VE LEARNED-What you possess is less important than what possesses you

DID YOU KNOW-The longest Hollywood kiss was from the 1941 film "You're in the Army Now";

It lasted three minutes and three seconds.

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-What is the saddest scripture in all of the Bible?

2-What is the most joyous scripture in all of the Bible?

3-What is the most difficult scripture to understand?

4-Is any scripture contradictory to other scripture?

5-How is it that some scriptures can have so many different interpretations?

BIBLE TRIVIA-What two women ran from Jesus' empty tomb to tell the disciples what had happened?

Yesterday's answer-Zechariah

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY-----MARK 16:9-13

(Please note!!-verses 9-20 are not included in two of the best and oldest Greek manuscripts of Mark)

9 After Jesus rose from the dead early on the first day of the week, he showed himself first to Mary Magdalen. One time in the past, he had forced seven demons out to her.

10 After Mary saw Jesus, she went and told his followers, who were very sad and were crying.

11 But Mary told them that Jesus was alive. She said that she had seen him, but the followers did not believe her.

12 Later, Jesus showed himself to two of his followers while they were walking in the country, but he did not look the same as before.

13 These followers went back to the others and told them what had happened, but again, the followers did not believe them.

I WISH YOU A DAY FILLED WITH LOVE, LAUGHTER, FORGIVENESS AND THANKSGIVING-JASPER

Sunday July 11, 2010 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-You cannot hear with your mouth in gear-

2-Whatever you are going to do, now is the time to do it-

3-God does not call us to sit and wait for directions but to go and be directed as we go-

4-Don't take the easy road, take the road God has called you to travel-

5-Without a battle there is no victory-

STRANGE THOUGHT-Make the most of all that comes and the least of all that goes-

I'VE LEARNED-More important than the kind of house you live in is what kind of you is living in the house-

DID YOU KNOW-Approximately sixty circus performers have been shot from cannons. At last report, thirty one of them have been killed.

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Why did God harden Pharaoh's heart?

2-Why did all the Egyptians have to suffer when it was Pharaoh who chose not to let the Hebrews go?

3-Scripture says "My spirit shall not always strive with men"-when is that time?

4-How long does God have to be merciful to sinful man?

5-Are the ungodly "God's children" also?

BIBLE TRIVIA-Who had a vision of one angel running to meet another?

Yesterday's answer-Aaron

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY MARK 16:1-8

1 The day after the Sabbath day, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought some sweet smelling spices to put on Jesus' body.

2 Very early on that day, the first day of the week, soon after sunrise, the women were on their way to the tomb.

3 They said to each other, "Who will roll away for us the stone that covers the entrance of the tomb?"

4 Then the women looked and saw that the stone had already been rolled away, even though it was very large.

5 The women entered the tomb and saw a young man wearing a white robe and sitting on the right side, and they were afraid.

6 But the man said, "Don't be afraid. You are looking for Jesus from Nazareth, who had been crucified. He has risen from the dead; he is not here. Look, here is the place they laid him.

7 Now go and tell his followers and Peter, 'Jesus is going into Galilee ahead of you, and you will see him there as he told you before.' "

8 The women were confused and shaking with fear, so they left the tomb and ran away. They did not tell anyone about what happened, because they were afraid.

I WISH YOU A DAY FILLED WITH LOVE, LAUGHTER, FORGIVENESS AND THANKSGIVING-JASPER

Saturday July 10, 2010 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-Happiness is when the phone rings and you hear "I love you grandma/grandpa!"

2-There ought to be a better way of starting the day than just getting up in the morning-

3-Happiness only adds and multiplies when we divide it-

4-An old timer is one who has gold in his teeth, silver in his hair and lead in his pants-

5-It doesn't matter if you win or lose until you lose-

STRANGE THOUGHT-Like a rubber band, the truth weakens the more it is stretched-

I'VE LEARNED-I'd rather regret the things I've done than regret the things I haven't done-

DID YOU KNOW-Sleeping beauty slept 100 years-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Does the resurrection prove that Jesus was the Son of God?

2-Why did God choose the name Jesus (English translation) for the Christ child when it was a common Jewish name of Joshua (English translation)?

3-Does God forgive us 70x7 as he instructed his disciples to do?

4-God hardened Pharaoh's heart. Does he harden ours also?

5-God kept hardening Pharaoh's heart. Did Pharaoh have a choice or will?

BIBLE TRIVIA-Who ran into the midst of the Israelites carrying incense to stop a plague?

Yesterday's answer-a sponge

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY MARK15:42-47

42 This was Preparation Day. (That means the day before the Sabbath day.)

43 That evening, Joseph from Arimathea was brave enough to go to Pilate and ask for Jesus' body. Joseph, an important member of the Jewish council, was one of the people who was waiting for the kingdom of God to come.

44 Pilate was amazed that Jesus would have already died, so he called the army officer who had guarded Jesus and asked him if Jesus had already died.

45 The officer told Pilate that he was dead, so Pilate told Joseph he could have the body.

46 Joseph bought some linen cloth, took the body down from the cross, and wrapped it in the linen. He put the body in a tomb that was cut out of a wall of rock. Then he rolled a very large stone to block the entrance of the tomb.

47 And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joseph saw the place where Jesus was laid.

I WISH YOU A DAY FILLED WITH LOVE, LAUGHTER, FORGIVENESS AND THANKSGIVING-JASPER

Friday July 9, 2010 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-The time that God allows us is always enough for the work he allots us-

2-Whatever we vividly imagine, ardently desire, sincerely believe and enthusiastically act upon must inevitably come to pass-

3-As we think, so are we-

4-God, ease the pounding of my heart by the quieting of my mind-

5-The race is not always won by the swiftest-

STRANGE THOUGHT-Takers eat well, givers sleep well-

I'VE LEARNED-The rainbows of life follow the storms of your life-

DID YOU KNOW-Smokey the Bear's zip code is 20252

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Is the wickedness of man greater today than it was in the days of Noah prior to the great flood?

2-Do angels have the free will of choice?

3-Why are some children born with a severe inclination toward doing evil?

4-How do some Christians keep from choosing to sin while other succumb to temptation?

5-Is there a difference in repenting of your sins and confessing your sins?

BIBLE TRIVIA-What did a man at Jesus' crucifixion run to find for the dying Jesus?

Yesterday's answer-Rebekah

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY MARK 15:38-4138

38 The curtain in the Temple was torn into two pieces, from the top to the bottom.

39 When the army officer who was standing in front of the cross saw what happened when Jesus died, he said, "This man really was the Son of God!"

40 Some women were standing at a distance from the cross, watching; among them were Mary Magdalene, Salome, and Mary the mother of James and Joseph. (James was her youngest son.)

41 These women had followed Jesus in Galilee and helped him. Many other women were also there who had come with Jesus to Jerusalem.

I WISH YOU A DAY FILLED WITH LOVE, LAUGHTER, FORGIVENESS AND THANKSGIVING-JASPER

Thursday July 8, 2010 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-You do what you can and God will see that your talents are not wasted-

2-Believe and receive, doubt and do without-

3-When you love someone, you love them as they are-

4-God, when we are wrong make us willing to change, when we are right make us easy to live with-

5-If being loved is living, then you shall never die-

STRANGE THOUGHT-Sign at the front door of a home--"One beautiful person and one old grouch lives here"-

I'VE LEARNED-Twelve words that hold a marriage together--I am wrong, I am sorry, please forgive me, I love you!!!

DID YOU KNOW-"Gone with the Wind" is the only Civil War epic ever filmed without a single battle scene-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-If Satan is behind the abortion issue, what is he trying to accomplish?

2-How many books are opened at the final judgement?

3-How many resurrections are there in the Final Judgement?

4-During the time of the anti Christ, will there be any organized religion allowed other than worship of the anti Christ?

5-At the resurrection of the dead, will people have physical bodies or spiritual bodies?

BIBLE TRIVIA-What beautiful woman caused Abraham's servant to run to meet her?

Yesterday's answer-Samson's

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY MARK 15:33-37

33 At noon the whole country became dark, and the darkness lasted for three hours.

34 At three o'clock Jesus cried in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi. Lama sabachthani." This means, "My God, My God, why have your rejected me?"

35 When some of the people standing there heard this, they said, Listen! He is calling Elijah."

36 Someone there ran and got a sponge, filled it with vinegar, tied it to a stick, and gave it to Jesus to drink. He said, "We want to see if Elijah will come to take him down from the cross."

37 Then Jesus cried in a loud voice and died.

I WISH YOU A DAY FILLED WITH LOVE, LAUGHTER, FORGIVENESS AND THANKSGIVING-JASPER

Wednesday July 7, 2010 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-If you find a man on the top of a mountain, he didn't just fall there-

2-Jesus is more than a problem solver, he is a people developer-

3-Life is what happens to you while you are making other plans-

4-Love takes a whole lot of work-

5-I always know the right thing to say after the right time to say it has passed-

STRANGE THOUGHT-Why is there so much month left at the end of the money?

I'VE LEARNED-It is more important to know where you are going than to see how fast you can get there-

DID YOU KNOW-The first real motion picture theater was called a nickelodeon--admission was a nickel--and opened in McKeesport, Pennsylvania-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-The Bible says Jesus was tempted in every way just as we are. Can this be possibly true with our culture and society?

2-Was Adam and Eve tempted in the Garden of Eden in like manor as Jesus was tempted?

3-Does Satan have insight into God's word?

4-In Biblical history, how many times have babies been specifically targeted for murder?

5-Is abortion from Satan? (even when babies who die go to heaven?)

BIBLE TRIVIA-What judge's mother ran to tell her husband Manoah that an angel had appeared to her?

Yesterday's answer-The priest Eli

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY MARK 15:25-32

25 It was nine o'clock in the morning when they crucified Jesus.

26 There was a sign with this charge against Jesus written on it: THE KING OF THE JEWS.

27 They also put two robbers on crosses beside Jesus, one on the right and the other on the left.

28 And the scripture came true that says, "They put him with criminals".

29 People walked by and insulted Jesus and shook their heads, saying "You said you could destroy the Temple and build it again in three days.

30 So save yourself! Come down from that cross!"

31 The leading priests and the teachers of the law were also making fun of Jesus. They said to each other, "He saved other people, but he can't save himself.

32 If he is really the Christ, the king of Israel, let him come down now from the cross. When we see this, we will believe in him." The robbers who were being crucified beside Jesus also insulted him.

I WISH YOU A DAY FILLED WITH LOVE, LAUGHTER, FORGIVENESS AND THANKSGIVING-JASPER

Tuesday July 6, 2010 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-We all have eternity to celebrate the victories but only a few hours before sunset to win them-

2-Fear less, hope more- eat less, chew more- whine less, praise more- talk less, say more- hate less, love more- and all good things are yours-

3-There is no heavier burden than a great opportunity-

4-No food is worth being fat for-

5-I like hugs, I like kisses, but what I love is help with the dishes!--mom-

STRANGE THOUGHT-To serious shoppers, it is not how much an item costs, it is how much you save that counts-

I'VE LEARNED-"Never" say "never", "never" say "always" and never give up-

DID YOU KNOW-Walt Disney's autograph bears no resemblance to the famous Disney logo-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Is the star of David really the star of Jesus?

2-Who was God speaking to when he said, "Let us make man in our own image". Was it Jesus?

3-Is a human being a trinity?

4-Isn't man more than a trinity? He has a soul, body, spirit, mind, heart.

5-Is there any connection between the trinity and the wise men's 3 gifts to the Christ Child?

BIBLE TRIVIA-When the man of Benjamin saw the ark of the covenant captured by the Philistines, what Israelite did he run to tell?

Yesterday's answer-Adonijah

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY MARK 15:21-24

21 A man named Simon from Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was coming from the fields to the city. The soldiers forced Simon to carry the cross for Jesus.

22 They led Jesus to the place called Golgotha, which means the Place of the Skull.

23 The soldiers tried to give Jesus wine mixed with myrrh to drink, but he refused.

24 The soldiers crucified Jesus and divided his clothes among themselves, throwing lots to decide what each soldier would get.

I WISH YOU A DAY FILLED WITH LOVE, LAUGHTER, FORGIVENESS AND THANKSGIVING-JASPER

Monday July 5, 2010 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-Let us be slow to condemn and quick to love-

2-Just because God calls you does not mean there won't be any problems-

3-God is the controller of all things-

4-A good mother makes a happy home-

5-Add spice to each meal, kiss the cook!!-

STRANGE THOUGHT-Turtle soup is never served in a fast food restaurant-

I'VE LEARNED-No wish bone ever took the place of a back bone-

DID YOU KNOW-In Fantasia, the sorcerer's name is Yensid--Disney spelled backward-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Have we lost the sacredness of the word "GOD" when we use it so loosely in conversation?

2-What is the correct God given name in Hebrew of YHWH?

3-Is God's name in HebrewYHWH pronounced Joshua?

4-When Jesus was dying on the cross, why did he say "MY God, My God...." and not "My Father, My Father..."?

5-What does the Star of David stand for?

BIBLE TRIVIA-What usurper to the throne of Israel gathered up fifty men to run before him?

Yesterday's answer-Elisha

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY MARK 15:15-20

15 Pilate wanted to please the crowd, so he freed Barabbas for them. After having Jesus beaten with whips, he handed Jesus over to the soldiers to be crucified.

16 The soldiers took Jesus into the governor's palace and called all the other soldiers together.

17 They put a purple robe on Jesus and used thorny branches to make a crown for his head.

18 They began to call out to him, "Hail, King of the Jews!"

19 The soldiers beat Jesus on the head many times with a stick. They spit on him and made fun of him by bowing on their knees and worshiping him.

20 After they finished, the soldiers took off the purple robe and put his own clothes on him again. Then they led him out of the palace to be crucified.

I WISH YOU A DAY FILLED WITH LOVE, LAUGHTER, FORGIVENESS AND THANKSGIVING-JASPER

Sunday July 4, 2010 thought for the day

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA!!!!

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-In the beginning was---everything-

2-Sometimes God calms the storm and sometimes he lets the storm rage and calms his child-

3-Never let the fear of striking out keep you from going to bat-

4-Love is the willingness and ability to allow another to make their own choices for themselves without any insistence that they satisfy you-

5-The greatest joy is to be loved by someone-

STRANGE THOUGHT-The person who makes no sense does not usually make anything-

I'VE LEARNED-An unusual amount of common sense is sometimes called wisdom-

DID YOU KNOW-The Lion King is the top grossing Disney movie of all time.

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Should Christians hold wealth as an asset?

2-Is the Roman Catholic church the mother church of Christianity?

3-Who recorded in scripture never died?

4-Who recorded in scripture died twice?

5-When did the word "YAHWEH" come into existence?

BIBLE TRIVIA-What prophet ran after another prophet to accept the appointment as his successor?

Yesterday's answer-They that wait upon the Lord-

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY MARK 15:6-14

6 Every year at the time of the Passover the governor would free one prisoner whom the people chose.

7 At that time, there was a man named Barabbas in prison who was a rebel and had committed murder during a riot.

8 The crowd came to Pilate and began to ask him to free a prisoner as he always did.

9 So Pilate asked them, "Do you want me to free the king of the Jews?"

10 Pilate knew that the leading priests had turned Jesus in to him because they were jealous.

11 But the leading priests had persuaded the people to ask Pilate to free Barabbas, not Jesus.

12 Then Pilate asked the crowd again, "So what should I do with this man you call the king of the Jews?

13 They shouted, "Crucify him!"

14 Pilate asked, "Why? What wrong has he done?" But they shouted even louder, "Crucify him!"

I WISH YOU A DAY FILLED WITH LOVE, LAUGHTER, FORGIVENESS AND THANKSGIVING-JASPER

Saturday July 3, 2010 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-Never let yesterday use up today-

2-Plan ahead, remember it wasn't raining when Noah built the ark-

3-The ark was designed by God, the Titanic was designed by professionals-

4-Always give the customer value they can afford, and service they deserve-

5-Change is inevitable, growth is intentional-

STRANGE THOUGHT-The first place to look for anything you've lost is the last place you'd expect to find it-

I'VE LEARNED-Love isn't always logical-

DID YOU KNOW-Peter Pan and 101 Dalmatians are the only two classic Disney cartoon features in which both parents are present and don't die throughout the movie-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-When will Christians know for sure who the antichrist is?

2-Will the Holy Spirit ever be removed from the earth?

3-Should we be constantly seeking for more of Jesus in our life?

4-How much should tradition play in our religious life and/or church?

5-What part does wealth play in the "Great Commission?"

BIBLE TRIVIA-According to Isaiah, what sort of people can run and not be weary?

Yesterday's answer-Joab

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY MARK 15:1-5

1 Very early in the morning, the leading priests, the older leaders, the teachers of the law, and all the Jewish council decided what to do with Jesus. They tied him, led him away, and turned him over to Pilate , the governor.

2 Pilate asked Jesus, "Are you King of the Jews?" Jesus answered, "Those are your words."

3 The leading priests accused Jesus of many things.

4-So Pilate asked Jesus another question, "You can see that they are accusing you of many things. Aren't you going to answer?"

5 But Jesus still said nothing, so Pilate was very surprised.

I WISH YOU A DAY FILLED WITH LOVE, LAUGHTER, FORGIVENESS AND THANKSGIVING-JASPER

Friday July 2, 2010 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY-

1-There are no treasures greater than friends-

2-Friends are those who, when you've made a fool of yourself, don't think you've done a permanent job-

3-Faith is daring the soul to go farther than it can see-

4-Joy is not the absence of suffering, but the presence of God-

5-Come my love, grow old with me, the best of life is yet to be-

STRANGE THOUGHT-If it were not for the TV inventor, we's be eating frozen radio dinners-

I'VE LEARNED-Grandma's cookies didn't need preservatives for they didn't last that long-

DID YOU KNOW-Disney's Donald Duck's middle name if Fauntleroy. His sister is named Dumbella.

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Will the anti Christ be a Muslim?

2-Will the false prophet organize all world religions into a one world religion which will worship the anti Christ?

3-Will the USA force Israel into accepting a 7 year peace treaty negotiated by the one who will be the anti Christ?

4-Will the anti Christ control the financial world through control of the world's oil?

5-Are Christianity, Judaism and Islam the only religions involved in the tribulation and end times?

BIBLE TRIVIA-Who sent Cushi to run to David with the news of Absalom's death?

Yesterday's answer-Abraham

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY MARK 14:66-72

66 While Peter was in the courtyard, a servant girt of the high priest came there.

67 She saw Peter warming himself at the fire and looked closely at him. Then she said. "You also were with Jesus, that man from Nazareth."

68 But Peter said that he was never with Jesus. He said, "I don't know or understand what you are talking about." then Peter left and went toward the entrance of the courtyard. And the rooster crowed.

69 The servant girl saw Peter there, and again she said to the people who were standing nearby, "This man is one of those who followed Jesus."

70 Again Peter said that is was not true. A short time later, some people were standing near Peter saying, "Surely you are one of those who followed Jesus, because you are from Galilee, too."

71 Then Peter began to place a curse on himself and swear, "I don't know this man you're talking about!"

72 At once, the rooster crowed the second time. Then Peter remembered what Jesus had told him: "Before the rooster crows twice, you will say three times that you don't know me." Then Peter lost control of himself and began to cry.

I WISH YOU A DAY FILLED WITH LOVE, LAUGHTER, FORGIVENESS AND THANKSGIVING-JASPER

Thursday July 1, 2010 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-Measure success by what you do after you are tired-

2-People are like wine, age sours the bad and improves the good-

3-If we pause to think, we'll have cause to thank-

4-When your knees knock, kneel on them-

5-Where there is great love, there always is great miracles-

STRANGE THOUGHT-An optimist says that we live in the best of all possible worlds, a pessimist believes this is true-

I'VE LEARNED-How long a minute takes is dependent on which side of the bathroom door you are on-

DID YOU KNOW-Donald Duck comics were banned in Finland because he doesn't wear pants-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Were there other important words which Jesus spoke which are not recorded in scripture?

2-Did all the disciples and apostles expect Jesus to return in their lifetime?

3-What is "timelessness" like?

4-Will the Jews begin blood sacrifices for sin atonement again when the Jerusalem Temple is rebuilt?

5-Is the "wailing wall" a part of the old Jerusalem Temple?

BIBLE TRIVIA--Who ran to meet the Lord in the plains of Mamre?

Yesterday's answer-Zacchaeus

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY MARK14:61-65

61 The high priest asked Jesus another question: "Are you the Christ, the Son of the blessed God?"

62 Jesus answered, "I am. And in the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of God, the Powerful One, and coming on clouds in the sky."

63 When the high priest heard this, he tore his clothes and said, "We don't need any more witnesses!

64 You all heard him say these things against God. What do you think?" They all said that Jesus was guilty and should die.

65 Some of the people there began to spit at Jesus. They blindfolded him and beat him with their fists and said, "Prove you are a prophet!" Then the guards led Jesus away and beat him.

I WISH YOU A DAY FILLED WITH LOVE, LAUGHTER, FORGIVENESS AND THANKSGIVING-JASPER