Tuesday August 31, 2010 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-God's assurance to those at the death of a Christian family member or friend---"they are with me, I am with you!"

2-A positive attitude is an expression of faith-

3-Love has no limit to what it will sacrifice-

4-Worry is praying for something to happen that you don't want to happen-

5-Often we must accept God's "no" and then live with the mystery of his will-

STRANGE THOUGHT-There is no elevator of success-

I'VE LEARNED-A small thing done in Jesus name is no small thing-

DID YOU KNOW-A phonophobe fears noise-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-How could pride and rebellion (sin) have entered into Satan while in the presence of God?

2-Is Satan now only in the place called hell?

3-Does Satan now ever get into the presence of God?

4-What kind of creature is Behemoth as mentioned in Job 40?

5-What is the creature Leviathan mentioned in Isaiah 27?

BIBLE TRIVIA-What two women of Philippi were asked by Paul to stop their quarreling?

Yesterday's answer-Asenath, mother of Manasseh and Ephraim

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY LUKE 7:1-10

Jesus Heals a Soldier's Servant

¹ When Jesus finished saying all these things to the people, he went to Capernaum.

² There was an army officer who had a servant who was very important to him. The servant was so sick he was nearly dead.

³ When the officer heard about Jesus, he sent some Jewish elders to him to ask Jesus to come and heal his servant.

⁴ The men went to Jesus and begged him, saying, "This officer is worthy of your help

.⁵ He loves our people, and he built us a synagogue."

⁶ So Jesus went with the men. He was getting near the officer's house when the officer sent friends to say, "Lord, don't trouble yourself, because I am not worthy to have you come into my house.

⁷ That is why I did not come to you myself. But you only need to command it, and my servant will be healed.

⁸ I, too, am a man under the authority of others, and I have soldiers under my command. I tell one soldier, 'Go,' and he goes. I tell another soldier, 'Come,' and he comes. I say to my servant, 'Do this,' and my servant does it."

⁹ When Jesus heard this, he was amazed. Turning to the crowd that was following him, he said, "I tell you, this is the greatest faith I have found anywhere, even in Israel."

¹⁰ Those who had been sent to Jesus went back to the house where they found the servant in good health.

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

Monday August 30, 2010 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-Fear causes us to do things we shouldn't do and leave undone things that should be done-

2-You cannot out sin God's forgiveness-

3-Though every act of sin is forgivable, the effects of some are not erasable-

4-There is no happiness where there is no wisdom-

5-Commitment implies trust-

STRANGE THOUGHT-Don't put others in their place when you're angry; put yourself in their place-

I'VE LEARNED-The more we follow the golden rule, the brighter it seems to shine-

DID YOU KNOW-All Hebrew originating names that end with the letter "el" have something to do with God-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-What is the origin of Satan? What was his beginnings and when did it happen?

2-Where did Satan's desire for greatness come from?

3-Did God create Satan as a special being before his fall?

4-Were all angels created with the same desires as Satan?

5-Was Satan created for a special purpose as compared to all the other angels?

BIBLE TRIVIA-What Egyptian woman was the mother of two of the tribes of Israel?

Yesterday's answer-Damaris

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY LUKE 6:46-49

Two Kinds of People

⁴⁶ "Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' but do not do what I say?

⁴⁷ I will show you what everyone is like who comes to me and hears my words and obeys.

⁴⁸ That person is like a man building a house who dug deep and laid the foundation on rock. When the floods came, the water tried to wash the house away, but it could not shake it, because the house was built well.

⁴⁹ But the one who hears my words and does not obey is like a man who built his house on the ground without a foundation. When the floods came, the house quickly fell and was completely destroyed."

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

Sunday August 29, 2010 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-The closer we live to God, the easier it is for us to recognize his voice when he speaks to us-

2-It isn't how I try to obey God, but how I trust and obey-

3-Circumstances always have a beginning and an end-

4-Don't run and hide when love draws near-

5-When I am afraid--I will trust God-

STRANGE THOUGHTS-There are really no great persons, only persons who do great things-

I'VE LEARNED-God never leads us into a pessimistic attitude-

DID YOU KNOW-According to Genesis 1:20-22, the chicken came before the egg-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Why is Jephthah listed among the heroes of faith in the book of Hebrews?

2-Why did King Solomon use such vast quantities of gold building his temple?

3-Was King Solomon trying to build a temple for God to equal those of the surrounding nations or to make it remarkably better?

4-Where was all the gold mined that was used in the building of the temple?

5-Is it possible that the Holy of Holies of the first Jewish temple lies under the Dome of the Rock?

BIBLE TRIVIA-What woman if Athens became a Christian because of Paul's teaching?

Yesterday's answer-Cozbi

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY LUKE 6:43-45

Two Kinds of Fruit

⁴³ "A good tree does not produce bad fruit, nor does a bad tree produce good fruit.

⁴⁴ Each tree is known by its own fruit. People don't gather figs from thornbushes, and they don't get grapes from bushes.

⁴⁵ Good people bring good things out of the good they stored in their hearts. But evil people bring evil things out of the evil they stored in their hearts. People speak the things that are in their hearts.

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

Saturday August 28, 2010 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-A lack of a guilty conscience is not a stamp of approval-

2-Faith is not intelligent understanding but a deliberate commitment to God where I see no way-

3-We don't need more programs in the church, we need more of God's presence-

4-Nothing can counterfeit the presence of God-

5-It is easier to discuss than to do-

STRANGE THOUGHT-Dig your well before you are thirsty-

I'VE LEARNED-Not all financial tests have to do with empty billfolds-

DID YOU KNOW-Every minute, forty seven Bibles are sold or distributed throughout the world-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Was manna a divinely produced food or a secretion from the Tamarish tree?

2-What was manna composed of that it could sustain the Israelites for 40 years?

3-Were the quail provided to the Israelites after crossing the Red Sea a divinely produced bird or a natural migration of birds?

4-What is known as the Fifth Gospel?

5-Why has the tiny land of Israel commanded the attention of so many empires?

BIBLE TRIVIA-What woman of Midian was killed by being run through with a javelin?

Yesterday's answer-Haggith

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY LUKE 6:37-42

Look at Yourselves

³⁷ "Don't judge others, and you will not be judged. Don't accuse others of being guilty, and you will not be accused of being guilty. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.

³⁸ Give, and you will receive. You will be given much. Pressed down, shaken together, and running over, it will spill into your lap. The way you give to others is the way God will give to you."

³⁹ Jesus told them this story: "Can a blind person lead another blind person? No! Both of them will fall into a ditch.

⁴⁰ A student is not better than the teacher, but the student who has been fully trained will be like the teacher.

⁴¹ "Why do you notice the little piece of dust in your friend's eye, but you don't notice the big piece of wood in your own eye?

⁴² How can you say to your friend, 'Friend, let me take that little piece of dust out of your eye' when you cannot see that big piece of wood in your own eye! You hypocrite! First, take the wood out of your own eye. Then you will see clearly to take the dust out of your friend's eye.

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

Friday August 27, 2010 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-There is always a strife when there is too much of something-

2-There is no joy in the "carnal Christian's" life-

3-Despair is a state of helpless futility-

4-Even success has a price to be paid-

5-Most things are difficult before they become easy-

STRANGE THOUGHT-Imitate the clock....it passes time by keeping it's hands busy-

I'VE LEARNED-wealth by itself is not incompatible with a holy life-

DID YOU KNOW-It is believed that Shakespeare was forty six around the time the King James Version of the Bible was written. In Psalms 46, the forty sixth word from the first word is 'shake', and the forty sixth from the last work is 'spear'-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Wasn't Uzziah's natural instinct to keep the Ark of the Covenant from falling rather than to disobey God's command?

2-Wouldn't the Ark of the Covenant's carriers have been afraid to carry the Ark?

3-Why would God have allowed the Ark of the Covenant to disappear from history?

4-Is it possible that the Ark of the Covenant is really hidden in a secret location?

5-If the Babylonians had captured the Ark of the Covenant, wouldn't there have been massive deaths or people struck with tumors just as happened with the Philistines?

BIBLE TRIVIA-What wife of David was the mother of the rebellious Adonijah?

Yesterday's answer-Claudia

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY LUKE 6:27-36

Love Your Enemies

²⁷ "But I say to you who are listening, love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you,

²⁸ bless those who curse you, pray for those who are cruel to you.

²⁹ If anyone slaps you on one cheek, offer him the other cheek, too. If someone takes your coat, do not stop him from taking your shirt.

³⁰ Give to everyone who asks you, and when someone takes something that is yours, don't ask for it back.

³¹ Do to others what you would want them to do to you.

³² If you love only the people who love you, what praise should you get? Even sinners love the people who love them.

³³ If you do good only to those who do good to you, what praise should you get? Even sinners do that!

³⁴ If you lend things to people, always hoping to get something back, what praise should you get? Even sinners lend to other sinners so that they can get back the same amount!

³⁵ But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without hoping to get anything back. Then you will have a great reward, and you will be children of the Most High God, because he is kind even to people who are ungrateful and full of sin.

³⁶ Show mercy, just as your Father shows mercy.

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

Thursday August 26, 2010 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-Jesus does not give us hope, He is our hope-

2-True learning is with the spirit, not the mind-

3-The real measure of our wealth is how much we'd be worth if we lost all our money-

4-Hope shines a ray of light through the darkness-

5-When faced with a decision, always look past the obvious positive benefits for they will never be quite as good as you think they would be and the consequences never as bad as you feared they would be-

STRANGE THOUGHT-America is a country where people in all walks of life prefer to ride-

I'VE LEARNED-As you have done unto others, so will the Lord do unto you-

DID YOU KNOW-The Bible has been translated into Klingon-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Where exactly is the Mt Sinai location?

2-Could Mt Sinai have been a volcanic mountain?

3-Was there only one Ark of the Covenant?

4-Was God's actual presence in the Ark of the Covenant or did it symbolize God's presence?

5-Did God kill Uzziah for touching the Ark of the Covenant or for taking hold of it?

BIBLE TRIVIA-What woman of Rome was mentioned by Paul as sending her greetings to Timothy?

Yesterday's answer-Aholah

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY LUKE 6:17-26

Jesus Teaches and Heals

¹⁷ Jesus and the apostles came down from the mountain, and he stood on level ground. A large group of his followers was there, as well as many people from all around Judea, Jerusalem, and the seacoast cities of Tyre and Sidon.

¹⁸ They all came to hear Jesus teach and to be healed of their sicknesses, and he healed those who were troubled by evil spirits.

¹⁹ All the people were trying to touch Jesus, because power was coming from him and healing them all.

²⁰ Jesus looked at his followers and said,
"You people who are poor are blessed, because the kingdom of God belongs to you.
²¹ You people who are now hungry are blessed, because you will be satisfied. You people who are now crying are blessed, because you will laugh with joy.

²² "People will hate you, shut you out, insult you, and say you are evil because you follow the Son of Man. But when they do, you will be blessed.

²³ Be full of joy at that time, because you have a great reward in heaven. Their ancestors did the same things to the prophets.
²⁴ "But how terrible it will be for you who are rich, because you have had your easy life.
²⁵ How terrible it will be for you who are full now, because you will be hungry. How terrible it will be for you who are laughing now, because you will be sad and cry.

²⁶ "How terrible when everyone says only good things about you, because their ancestors said the same things about the false prophets.

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

Wednesday August 25, 2010 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-The more we encourage our children to think for themselves, the more they will care what we think-

2-You can never reach the bottom of the well of living water-

3-Often, we want God's help more than we want God-

4-Perfect faith is stronger than perfect logic-

5-Salvation is not a reward to the righteous, but a gift to the guilty-

STRANGE THOUGHT-Impossibility is no excuse; we do things daily that were impossible; a century ago-

I'VE LEARNED-By practicing the grace of sharing, a person is storing up treasures for himself-

DID YOU KNOW-the term "devil's advocate" comes from the Roman Catholic Church. When deciding if someone should be sainted, a devil's advocate is always appointed to give an alternative view.

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Why is there nothing in the ancient Egyptian records mentioning the presence of Israelites living in Egypt or the Exodus?

2-When God hardened Pharaoh's heart, was God compelling Pharaoh to do evil?

3-If God hardened Pharaoh's heart, why did God have to send all the plagues?

4-Did the Israelites cross over the Red Sea or the Reed Sea?

5-Did God cause the sea to part for the Israelites miraculously or through events of nature?

BIBLE TRIVIA-What woman was, in Ezekiel, used as a symbol of wicked Samaria?

Yesterday's answer-Bithiah

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY LUKE 6:12-16

Jesus Chooses His Apostles

¹² At that time Jesus went off to a mountain to pray, and he spent the night praying to God.

¹³ The next morning, Jesus called his followers to him and chose twelve of them, whom he named apostles:

¹⁴ Simon (Jesus named him Peter), his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew,

¹⁵ Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Simon (called the Zealot),

¹⁶ Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who later turned Jesus over to his enemies.

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

Tuesday August 24, 2010 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-Be all you can be for Jesus without him having to consult with you first-

2-Evil will triumph when good people do nothing-

3-God loves the little children through his people-

4-A friend is someone who hears the song in my heart and sings it to me when my memory fails-

5-Real love stories never have endings-

STRANGE THOUGHT-Don't complain about the way the ball bounces if you're the one who dropped it-

I'VE LEARNED-Giving is true having-

DID YOU KNOW-The book of Ester in the Bible is the only book that does not mention the name of God-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Is God responsible for the plagues of history?

2-Why did God send plagues in the old testament as a result of one persons disobedience that thousands of innocent people died in?

3-Are all plagues God sent or the result of peoples activity?

4-Are the plagues of AIDS,bird flu, SARS,etc of today really man made plagues?

5-Are the plagues of today, AIDS, SARS, etc a part of the pale green horse of Revelation?

BIBLE TRIVIA-What daughter of a pharaoh married one of the descendants of Judah?

Yesterday's answer-Bilhah

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY Luke 6:6-11

Jesus Heals a Man's Hand

⁶ On another Sabbath day Jesus went into the synagogue and was teaching, and a man with a crippled right hand was there

.⁷ The teachers of the law and the Pharisees were watching closely to see if Jesus would heal on the Sabbath day so they could accuse him.

⁸ But he knew what they were thinking, and he said to the man with the crippled hand, "Stand up here in the middle of everyone." The man got up and stood there.

⁹ Then Jesus said to them, "I ask you, which is lawful on the Sabbath day: to do good or to do evil, to save a life or to destroy it?"

¹⁰ Jesus looked around at all of them and said to the man, "Hold out your hand." The man held out his hand, and it was healed.

¹¹ But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law were very angry and discussed with each other what they could do to Jesus.

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

Monday August 23, 2010 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-Life is like money, you can spend it anyway you want, but you can only spend it once-

2-We are called to listen to the needs of others even those which are unspoken-

3-Faith is only as good as the object of your faith-

4-While forbidden fruit is said to taste sweeter, it usually spoils faster-

5-Nothing is easier than self deceit-

STRANGE THOUGHT-If you saw yourself as others see you, you wouldn't believe your eyes-

I'VE LEARNED-You can't get to Easter without Good Friday-

DID YOU KNOW-The Bible is the number one shoplifted book in America-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Were concubines considered wives in the Old Testament?

2-Why was there so much sexual activity between the Old Testament men and women who were not their wives, but were their wives servant girls?

3-When did the non marital sexual activity become wrong?

4-Why did God permit the servant girl and concubine sex in the Old Testament?

5-Will the water level in the dead sea ever recede completely?

BIBLE TRIVIA-What handmaiden of Rachel bore Jacob the sons Dan and Naphtali?

Yesterday's answer-Bashemath

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY LUKE 6:1-5

Jesus Is Lord over the Sabbath

¹ One Sabbath day Jesus was walking through some fields of grain. His followers picked the heads of grain, rubbed them in their hands, and ate them.

² Some Pharisees said, "Why do you do what is not lawful on the Sabbath day?"

³ Jesus answered, "Have you not read what David did when he and those with him were hungry?

⁴ He went into God's house and took and ate the holy bread, which is lawful only for priests to eat. And he gave some to the people who were with him."

⁵ Then Jesus said to the Pharisees, "The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath day."

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

Sunday August 22, 2010 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-You cannot buy happiness but God gives it away-

2-Great people are not immune to difficult times-

3-You don't have to be an angel to be a saint-

4-When unconditional love comes into your life, the conditional love of your past leaves-

5-When work is a pleasure, life is a joy-

STRANGE THOUGHTS-Worry causes wrinkles which give you something else to worry about-

I'VE LEARNED-Each season brings its own unique blessings-

DID YOU KNOW-There are more than 1,700 references to gems and precious stones in the King James Version of the Bible-

(no, I didn't count them)

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Why should God have honored the blessing on Jacob by his father when it was obtained with deceit?

2-Did Rachel give up her fathers stolen idols when Jacob asked his family and servants to give them up?

3-Can we issue an oath or curse on someone today as they did in old testament times?

4-Did Jacob ever have a love relationship with Leah even though they had many children together?

5-After Rachel's death, did Leah become Jacobs wife in reality?

BIBLE TRIVIA-What Hittite woman married Esau, causing grief to Isaac and Rebecca?

Yesterday's answer-Asa

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY LUKE 5:33-39

Jesus Answers a Question

³³ They said to Jesus, "John's followers often fast for a certain time and pray, just as the Pharisees do. But your followers eat and drink all the time."

³⁴ Jesus said to them, "You cannot make the friends of the bridegroom fast while he is still with them. ³⁵ But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast."

³⁶ Jesus told them this story: "No one takes cloth off a new coat to cover a hole in an old coat. Otherwise, he ruins the new coat, and the cloth from the new coat will not be the same as the old cloth. ³⁷ Also, no one ever pours new wine into old leather bags. Otherwise, the new wine will break the bags, the wine will spill out, and the leather bags will be ruined.³⁸ New wine must be put into new leather bags. ³⁹ No one after drinking old wine wants new wine, because he says, 'The old wine is better.' "

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

Saturday August 21, 2010 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY-

1-For the Christian, servant hood should be the ultimate goal they strive for-

2-God knows even before I ask-

3-Our forgiveness should be as swift as our discipline is severe-

4-Actions speak louder than words but inaction speaks even louder than words-

5-All the benefits of money are temporal, all the risks are eternal-

STRANGE THOUGHT-A dollar doesn't go far these days, but it doesn't stay around long either-

I'VE LEARNED-Truly understanding the power of gratitude will change your life forever-

DID YOU KNOW-The longest chapter in the Bible is Psalms 119-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-God appeared to Abraham in the form of a human with 2 others as angels. Are there any other times when God appeared to someone in human form beside in Jesus Christ?

2-Did Jacob and Rachel have any other children besides Joseph and Benjamin?

3-Did Jacob unknowingly cause Rachel's death by issuing the curse on her about the stolen idols from her father?

4-Why did Rachel take her father's idols when Jacob would not have wanted her to do so?

5-Did God speak in an audible voice to the old testament patriarchs?

BIBLE TRIVIA-What king of Judah was the husband of Azubah?

Yesterday's answer-Elisheba

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY LUKE 5:27-32

Levi Follows Jesus

²⁷ After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector named Levi sitting in the tax collector's booth. Jesus said to him, "Follow me!"
²⁸ So Levi got up, left everything, and followed him.

²⁹ Then Levi gave a big dinner for Jesus at his house. Many tax collectors and other people were eating there, too.

³⁰ But the Pharisees and the men who taught the law for the Pharisees began to complain to Jesus' followers, "Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?"

³¹ Jesus answered them, "It is not the healthy people who need a doctor, but the sick.

³² I have not come to invite good people but sinners to change their hearts and lives."

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

Friday August 20, 2010 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-Sincerity alone does not make something right-

2-Full repentance brings full forgiveness-

3-Partial obedience is disobedience-

4-You need to be open to the same truth as you are trying to proclaim-

5-Mercy is God's ministry to the miserable-

STRANGE THOUGHT-If at first you don't succeed at love, try a little ardor-

I'VE LEARNED-Constant withdrawals without deposits will eventually run your account dry-

DID YOU KNOW-The last word in the Bible is Amen-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Would not Issac have been fearful of what Abraham was going to do to him?

2-Why wouldn't Isacc have tried to run away from his father?

3-How could Abraham have been so confident that it was God's voice telling him to sacrifice Issac?

4-How could Abraham have been so confident that Issac would live when God said to sacrifice him?

5-Has God ever told anyone besides Abraham to sacrifice his son

BIBLE TRIVIA-Who was the mother of the Levitical priesthood?

Yesterday's answer-Asenath

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY LUKE 5:17-26

Jesus Heals a Paralyzed Man

¹⁷ One day as Jesus was teaching the people, the Pharisees and teachers of the law from every town in Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem were there. The Lord was giving Jesus the power to heal people.¹⁸ Just then, some men were carrying on a mat a man who was paralyzed. They tried to bring him in and put him down before Jesus.¹⁹ But because there were so many people there, they could not find a way in. So they went up on the roof and lowered the man on his mat through the ceiling into the middle of the crowd right before Jesus. ²⁰ Seeing their faith, Jesus said, "Friend, your sins are forgiven."

²¹ The Jewish teachers of the law and the Pharisees thought to themselves, "Who is this man who is speaking as if he were God? Only God can forgive sins."

²² But Jesus knew what they were thinking and said, "Why are you thinking these things? ²³ Which is easier: to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Stand up and walk'? ²⁴ But I will prove to you that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins." So Jesus said to the paralyzed man, "I tell you, stand up, take your mat, and go home."

²⁵ At once the man stood up before them, picked up his mat, and went home, praising God.²⁶ All the people were fully amazed and began to praise God. They were filled with much respect and said, "Today we have seen amazing things!"

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

Thursday August 19, 2010 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-If you refuse to accept anything but the best, you get it more often-

2-When the cross is lifted high, even the arrogant are brought low-

3-There is no sacrifice in the will of God-

4-Sorrow increases the heart's capacity for joy-

5-Laughter is God's hand on the shoulder of a troubled world-

STRANGE THOUGHT-Why is soup never spilled on a tie you don't like?

I'VE LEARNED-Feed your faith and your fears will starve to death-

DID YOU KNOW-Almost all the villains in the Bible have red hair(I don't know if this is true or not)-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Does God test his people or just allow them to be tested?

2-Why did God ask Abraham to offer Issac as a burnt offering when God had forbidden his people from making human sacrifices like the pagan cultures?

3-Why didn't Abraham question God about making a human sacrifice of his son?

4-Did God ever give a blessing to Ishmael as he did to Issac?

5-Did Abraham not have any doubt as to God's instruction to him about sacrificing Issac?

BIBLE TRIVIA-What Egyptian woman was the wife of Joseph?

Yesterday's answer-Apphis, a Christian of Colossae

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY LUKE 5:12-16

Jesus Heals a Sick Man

¹² When Jesus was in one of the towns, there was a man covered with a skin disease. When he saw Jesus, he bowed before him and begged him, "Lord, you can heal me if you will."

¹³ Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man and said, "I will. Be healed!" Immediately the disease disappeared. ¹⁴ Then Jesus said, "Don't tell anyone about this, but go and show yourself to the priest and offer a gift for your healing, as Moses commanded. This will show the people what I have done."

¹⁵ But the news about Jesus spread even more. Many people came to hear Jesus and to be healed of their sicknesses,¹⁶ but Jesus often slipped away to be alone so he could pray.

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

Wednesday August 18, 2010 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-When God displays his power, it flows through weakness-

2-When we model the death of Jesus, others see his life-

3-Grace is based on forgiveness, not probation-

4-We cannot control the wind, but we can adjust our sails-

5-Laughter often hides the tears that only God sees-

STRANGE THOUGHT-Spring housecleaning is about as much fun as hugging a cactus-

I'VE LEARNED-God only fills empty vessels-

DID YOU KNOW-Charles Dickens was an insomniac, who believed his best chance of sleeping was in the center of a bed facing directly north-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Why does Psalms 110 say the coming Messiah as being forever a priest in the order of Melchizedek?

2-When Abraham saw 3 strangers (men) standing by his tent they were 2 angels and God himself. I thought scripture says you couldn't look on the face of God and live?

3-Why did Lot offer his 2 daughters to the men of the city of Sodom knowing how they could have been treated?

4-Were Sodom and Gomorrah the only 2 wicked cities of the known world?

5-Was homosexuality the grievous sin of /Sodom and Gomorrah?

BIBLE TRIVIA-Who is the only woman mentioned in Paul's letter to Philemon?

Yesterday's answer-Aholibamah

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY LUKE 5:1-11

¹ One day while Jesus was standing beside Lake Galilee, many people were pressing all around him to hear the word of God.² Jesus saw two boats at the shore of the lake. The fishermen had left them and were washing their nets.³ Jesus got into one of the boats, the one that belonged to Simon,^a]">[a] and asked him to push off a little from the land. Then Jesus sat down and continued to teach the people from the boat.

⁴ When Jesus had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Take the boat into deep water, and put your nets in the water to catch some fish."

⁵ Simon answered, "Master, we worked hard all night trying to catch fish, and we caught nothing. But you say to put the nets in the water, so I will."⁶ When the fishermen did as Jesus told them, they caught so many fish that the nets began to break.⁷ They called to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. They came and filled both boats so full that they were almost sinking.

⁸ When Simon Peter saw what had happened, he bowed down before Jesus and said, "Go away from me, Lord. I am a sinful man!"⁹ He and the other fishermen were amazed at the many fish they caught, as were ¹⁰ James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon's partners.

Jesus said to Simon, "Don't be afraid. From now on you will fish for people." ¹¹ When the men brought their boats to the shore, they left everything and followed Jesus.

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

Tuesday August 17, 2010 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-Praise given to us should be deflected back to God-

2-You don't talk love, you live love-

3-Repentance doesn't save you but you can't be saved without it-

4-Look through, not at-

5-What we worry about becomes our master-

STRANGE THOUGHT-You will never stub your toe by standing still-

I'VE LEARNED-The evidence of the presence of Jesus in our life is that we are kind to the less fortunate-

DID YOU KNOW-Charles Dickens never finished his schooling-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Was Melchizedek a real human being?

2-Could Melchizedek have been Christ?

3-Why did Abraham give Melchizedek a tithe (10%) of all his goods?

4-Why does the book of Hebrews say that Melchizedek had no father, mother,genealogy, no beginning or ending of days, is a priest forever?

5-Why does the book of Hebrews say that Jesus is according to the order of Melchizedek?

BIBLE TRIVIA-What woman with a cumbersome name was the Hittite wife of Esau?

Yesterday's answer-Aholibah

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY LUKE 4:38-44

³⁸ Jesus left the synagogue and went to the home of Simon.^a]">[a] Simon's mother-in-law was sick with a high fever, and they asked Jesus to help her.³⁹ He came to her side and commanded the fever to leave. It left her, and immediately she got up and began serving them.

⁴⁰ When the sun went down, the people brought those who were sick to Jesus. Putting his hands on each sick person, he healed every one of them.⁴¹ Demons came out of many people, shouting, "You are the Son of God." But Jesus commanded the demons and would not allow them to speak, because they knew Jesus was the Christ.

⁴² At daybreak, Jesus went to a lonely place, but the people looked for him. When they found him, they tried to keep him from leaving. ⁴³ But Jesus said to them, "I must preach about God's kingdom to other towns, too. This is why I was sent."

⁴⁴ Then he kept on preaching in the synagogues of Judea.^b]">[b]

Footnotes:

1. Luke 4:38 Simon Simon's other name was Peter.
2. Luke 4:44 Judea Some Greek copies read "Galilee."

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

Friday August 13, 2010 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-It is not a sacrifice for a good person to do right-

2-God is always looking for those who will keep the light on-

3-God loves you anyway-

4-You did not chose Jesus--He chose you and you simply responded-

5-When you no longer burn with love, others will die of the cold-

STRANGE THOUGHT-To avoid a sudden electric shock, open your electric bill slowly-

I'VE LEARNED-Our greatest glory is not in never failing but in rising every time we fail-

DID YOU KNOW-Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis was the most famous editor at Doubleday & Co.-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Why didn't Noah make the ark's resting place a holy place to remind them of God's deliverance?

2-Did God allow the ark to disintegrate away?

3-Why is there no existing evidence of the ark?

4-When the Bible says "water covered the whole earth" did it mean around the whole planet? Remember people then didn't know the world was round.

5-What exactly was the Tower of Babel?

BIBLE TRIVIA-What wife of David was also given as a wife to a man named Phalti?

Yesterday's answer-Ahinoam

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY LUKE 4:14-20

14 Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Holy Spirit, and stories about him spread all through the area.

15 He began to teach in their synagogues, and everyone praised him.

16 Jesus traveled to Nazareth, where he had grown up. On the Sabbath day he went to the synagogue, as he always did, and stood up to read.

17 The book of Isaiah the prophet was given to him. He opened the book and found the place where this is written:

18 "The Lord has put his Spirit in me, because he appointed me to tell the Good News to the poor. He has sent me to tell the captives they are free and to tell the blind that they can see again. God sent me to free those who have been treated unfairly

19 and to announce the time when the Lord will show his kindness."

20 Jesus closed the book, gave it back to the assistant, and sat down. Everyone in the synagogue was watching Jesus closely.

21 He began to say to them, "While you heard these word just now, they were coming true!"

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

Thursday August 12, 2010 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-Small deeds done are better than great deeds planned-

2-Be what you wish others to become-

3-Your home and possessions should be consistent with your Christian title of servant-

4-Opportunities are seldom labeled as such-

5-It is better to die for the right than to live for the wrong-

STRANGE THOUGHT-The sound of laughter carries farther than the sound of weeping-

I'VE LEARNED-After the game, the king and the pawn go into the same box-

DID YOU KNOW-Sherlock Holmes never said, "Elementary, my dear Watson,"

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Satan had deceived Eve in the Garden of Eden, so was he now trying to deceive Cain that a ground offering would be acceptable to God?

2-Did mysterious spirit beings intermarry with the human race at some point in man's beginning?

3-Did angelic creatures marry the daughters of humans to produce children at the beginning of the human race?

4-After the great flood, why did the ark disappear from Biblical history?

5-Is it possible the ark could have been preserved all these centuries?

BIBLICAL TRIVIA-What was Saul's wife's name?

Yesterday's answer-Gomer

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY LUKE 4:1-13

1 Jesus, filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan River. The Spirit led Jesus into the desert,

2 where the devil tempted Jesus for forty days. Jesus ate nothing during that time, and when those days were ended, he was very hungry.

3 The devil said to Jesus, "If you are the Son of God, tell this rock to become bread."

4 Jesus answered, "It is written in the Scriptures: 'A person does not live by eating only bread.' "

5 Then the devil took Jesus and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in an instant.

6 The devil said to Jesus, "I will give you all these kingdoms and all their power and glory. It has all been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I wish.

7 If you worship me, then it will all be yours."

8 Jesus answered, "It is written in the Scriptures: 'You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him.' "

9 Then the devil led Jesus to Jerusalem and put him on a high place of he Temple. He said to Jesus, "If you are the Son of God, jump down.

10 It is written in the Scriptures: 'He has put his angel in charge of you to watch over you.'

11 It is also written: 'They will catch you in their hands so that you will not hit your foot on a rock.' "

12 Jesus answered, "But it also says in the Scriptures: 'Do not test the Lord your God.' "

13 After the devil had tempted Jesus in every way, he left him to wait until a better time.

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

Wednesday August 11, 2010 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-It is wrong to be obnoxiously right-

2-It is not great faith we need but a faith in a great God-

3-Our efficiency without God's sufficiency is only deficiency-

4-No one is unpromising to God-

5-A man is known by the company he does not keep-

STRANGE THOUGHT-Old age is like a rocket launching, at a certain stage, you count down-

I'VE LEARNED-People are just about as happy as they make up their minds to be-

DID YOU KNOW-Dr. Seuss coined the word "nerd" in his 1950 book If I Ran the Zoo-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Did God have to kill an animal/animals to make the coverings for Adam and Eve or did he just create it?

2-Were Adam and Eve ever forgiven by God for their sin of disobedience?

3-Did Adam and Eve ever repent of their disobedience?

4-How did Cain kill Abel?

5-If God did not accept Cain's offering, why did he take his anger out on Abel instead of on God?

BIBLE TRIVIA- What Old Testament woman had children named Lo-ruhamah, Lo-ammi, and Jezreel?

Yesterday's answer-Adah

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY LUKE 3:21-22

21 When all the people were being baptized by John, Jesus also was baptized. While Jesus was praying, heaven opened

22 and the Holy Spirit came down on him in the form of a dove. Then a voice came from heaven, saying, "You are my Son, whom I love and I am very pleased with you."

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

Tuesday August 10, 2010 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-Christians are-forgiven, forgiving and for giving-

2-The beginning of anxiety is the end of faith and the beginning of true faith is the end of anxiety-

3-There is no panic in trust-

4-What you are is what you look at, who you are is what you do-

5-The way we are facing has a lot to do with our destination-

STRANGE THOUGHT-Sandwich spread is what people get when they snack too much between meals-

I've learned-When someone tell you nothing is impossible, ask them to dribble a football-

DID YOU KNOW-De. Seuss pronounced his name so it would rhyme with rejoice-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Had God somehow informed Adam/Eve and Cain/Able that blood sacrifices were the only acceptable offerings?

2-Was Cain the first rebellious son?

3-If Adam and Eve had been used to each other being naked in the Garden of Eden, why would they feel uncomfortable that way after leaving the Garden?

4-Why were the fig leaf coverings made by Adam and Eve not sufficient that God had to make garments of animal skins for them?

5-Did Adam and Eve's children have animal skin coverings? If so, where did they come from?

BIBLE TRIVIA-Who was the second women mentioned in the Bible?

Yesterday's answer-Jael

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY LUKE 3:16-20

16 John answered everyone, "I baptize you with water, but there is one coming who is greater than I am. I am not good enough to untie his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

17 He will come ready to clean the grain, separating the good grain from the chaff. He will put the good part of the grain into his barn, but he will burn the chaff with a fire that cannot be put out.

18 And John continued to preach the Good News, saying many other things to encourage the people.

19 But John spoke against Herod, the governor, because of his sin with Herodias, the wife of Herod's brother, and because of the many other evil things Herod did.

20 So Herod did something even worse: He put John in prison.

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

Monday August 9, 2010 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-The person who says it can't be done should not interrupt the person doing it-

2-Nothing will improve your hearing more than others praise-

3-I never learn anything talking, only when listening-

4-Patience is accepting a difficult situation from God without giving him a deadline to remove it-

5-There are two essentials for happiness, something to do and someone to love-

STRANGE THOUGHT-Never try to make crepes from crepe paper-

I'VE LEARNED-Everyone you meet knows something you don't know. Learn from them-

DID YOU KNOW-Ernest Vincent Wright wrote the fifty thousand word novel Gatsby without any word containing the letter "e"-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-How did Cain and Abel know they were to make an offering to God-

2-Did Adam and Eve make offerings to God?

3-Was Cain perhaps angry with Abel prior to their offering to God?

4-Were Cain and Abel perhaps brothers that did not get along?

5-Does God not accept an offering from you of what you have produced?

BIBLE TRIVIA-Who offered a bottle of milk to an enemy soldier and then killed him?

Yesterday's answer-Michal

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY LUKE 3:7-15

7 To the crowds of people who came to be baptized by John, he said "You are all snakes! Who warned you to run away from God's coming punishment?

8 Do the things that show you really have changed your hearts and lives. Don't begin to say to yourselves, 'Abraham is our father.' I tell you that God could make children for Abraham from these rocks.

9 The ax is now ready to cut down the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire."

10 The people asked John, "Then what should we do?"

11 John answered, "If you have two shirts, share with the person who does not have one. If you have food, share that also."

12 Even tax collectors came to John to be baptized. They said to him, "Teacher, what should we do?"

13 John said to them, "Don't take more taxes from people than you have been ordered to take."

14 The soldiers asked John , "What about us? What should we do?" John said to them, "Don't force people to give you money, and don't lie about them. Be satisfied with the pay you get."

15 Since the people were hoping for the Christ to come, they wondered if John might be the one.

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

Sunday August 8, 2010 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-Get on fire for God and people will come to see you burn-

2-All people smile in the same language-

3-The world is full of willing people, some willing to work and the rest willing to watch them-

4-Becoming wise is a process, it takes time-

5-A church should not be a crutch for your own spirituality-

STRANGE THOUGHT-Simple solutions seldom are-

I'VE LEARNED-The difference between the possible and the impossible lies in a person's determination-

DID YOU KNOW-For the 66 percent of Americans who admit to reading in the bathroom, the preferred reading material is Reader's Digest-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Cain brought the fruit of the ground to God as an offering but had God required an offering of animals?

2-Did Cain have an evil heart toward God before the offering he made?

3-Did Cain know he was to bring an animal offering to God and not an offering of things that grew in the ground?

4-How did Cain know that he could kill his brother?

5-Had Cain and Abel made previous offerings to the Lord?

BIBLE TRIVIA-What woman was given as a wife after her future husband brought in two hundred Philistine foreskins as a gift to her father?

Yesterday's answer-Abigail

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY LUKE 3:1-6

1 It was the fifteenth year of the rule of Tiberius Caesar. These men were under Caesar: Pontius Pilate, the ruler of Judea; Herod, the ruler of Galilee; Philip, Herod's brother, the ruler of Iturea and Trachonitis; and Lysanias, the ruler of Abilene.

2 Annas and Caiaphas were the high priests. At this time, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the desert.

3 He went all over the area around the Jordan River preaching a baptism of changed hearts and lives for the forgiveness of sins.

4 As it is written in the book of Isaiah the prophet: "This is a voice of one who calls out in the desert: 'Prepare the way for the Lord. Make the road straight for him.

5 Every valley should be filled in, and every mountain and hill should be made flat. Roads with turns should be made straight, and rough roads should be made smooth.

6 And all people will know about the salvation of God!' "

I wish you a day filled with love, laughter, forgiveness and thanksgiving-jasper

Saturday August 7, 2010 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-The obvious is often not the most significant-

2-People that value privileges above principles soon lose both-

3-Good thoughts bear good fruit, bad thoughts bear bad fruit and man is his own gardener-

4-True love is like a violin. The music may stop now and then but the strings still remain-

5-Don't kill time. You may murder success-

STRANGE THOUGHT-The economy is expected to improve at the last quarter, so hold on to it-

I'VE LEARNED-To pursue the unattainable is insanity-

DID YOU KNOW-Shakespeare spelled his own name several different ways-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-What would life have been like for Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden?

2-If Satan was the serpent in the Garden of Eden, are all serpents today satanic?

3-Does most peoples natural fear of snakes come from the Garden of Eden serpent's encounter with Eve?

4-Why did God have no regard for Cain's offering?

5-Was Cain the first human born?

BIBLE TRIVIA-What sister of David had the same name as one of David's wives?

Yesterday's answer-Ahaz

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY LUKE 2:41-52

41 Every year Jesus' parents went to Jerusalem for the Passover Feast.

42 When he was twelve years old, they went to the feast as they always did.

43 After the feast days were over, they started home. The boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it.

44 Thinking that Jesus was with them in the group, they traveled for a whole day. Then they began to look for him among their family and friends.

45 When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him there.

46 After three days they found Jesus sitting in the Temple with the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.

47 All who heard him were amazed at his understanding and answers.

48 When Jesus' parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, "Son, why did you do this to us? Your father and I were very worried about you and have been looking for you."

49 Jesus said to them, "Why were looking for me? Didn't you know that I must be in my Father's house?"

50 But they did not understand the meaning of what he said.

51 Jesus went with them to Nazareth and was obedient to them. But his mother kept in her mind all that had happened.

52 Jesus became wiser and grew physically. People liked him, and he pleased God.

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

Friday August 6, 2010 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-Faith is trusting God even when he doesn't tell you why-

2-Often, things that lead to happiness involve some pain-

3-If we could understand that fun does not bring us happiness we would live differently-

4-Those who keep the ability to see beauty never grow old-

5-A wish is a desire without an attempt-

STRANGE THOUGHT-A true procrastinator is one who puts off until tomorrow what has already been put off until today-

I'VE LEARNED-The successful person will profit from their mistakes and try again in a different way-

DID YOU KNOW-Samuel Clemens, aka Mark Twain was born in 1835 when Halley's comet appeared. He died in 1910 when Halley's Comet returned-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-What did Noah and his family think when it rained since it had never happened before?

2-What did Noah and family think when they looked out of the ark and saw nothing but water?

3-What are Cherubim and Seraphim?

4-Will the location of the Garden of Eden ever be located?

5-Could the Garden of Eden be under the ocean in the Persian Gulf or under the sand of Iraq?

BIBLE TRIVIA-Abi was the wife of what king of Judah?

Yesterday's answer-Lot's wife

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY LUKE 2:39-40

39 When Joseph and Mary had done everything the law of the Lord commanded, they went home to Nazareth, their own town in Galilee.

40 The child grew and became strong. He was filled with wisdom, and God's goodness was upon him.

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

Thursday August 5, 2010 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-May all who come behind us find us faithful-

2-We are successful when our children say yes to the call of God on their lives-

3-There is no greater joy for a parent than to see their children in love with Jesus-

4-To covet is to succeed in amassing possessions-

5-You can't share what you don't have-

STRANGE THOUGHT-Many people are like tea bags; they know their strength only when in hot water-

I'VE LEARNED-If you correct yourself, others won't have to-

DID YOU KNOW-Samuel Clemens, aka Mark Twain, smoked 40 cigars a day for the last years of his life-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-If food was kept on the ark for consumption, what kept it from spoiling?

2-What did the people and animals drink on the ark and where did it come from?

3-How could such a small group of people take care of so many animals?

4-Did the Ark spend any stormy days and nights on the water?

5-How could all the water covering the earth evaporate?

BIBLE TRIVIA-Who was turned into a pillar of salt?

Yesterday's answer-The daughter of Herodias, known to us from the writings of Josephus as Salome, though her name does not appear in the Bible-

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY LUKE 2:36-38

36 There was a prophetess, Anna, from the family of Phanuel in the tribe of Asher. Anna was very old. She had once been married for seven years.

37 Then her husband died, and she was a widow for eighty four years. Anna never left the Temple but worshiped God, going without food and praying day and night.

38 Standing there at that time, she thanked God and spoke about Jesus to all who were waiting for God to free Jerusalem.

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

Wednesday August 4, 2010 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-If your life is on the rocks, be a lighthouse-

2-Love will find a way, indifference will find an excuse-

3-God has called Christians to be witnesses not lawyers-

4-Depression is the result of the reaction to a disappointment-

5-All disappointments do not carry the same weight-

STRANGE THOUGHT-Will power is the ability to eat only one cookie-

I'VE LEARNED-The secret of happy living is not to do what you like but to like what you do-

DID YOU KNOW-The book 'Tom Sawyer' was the first novel written on a typewriter-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Were some animals on the ark just for Noah's family to eat and not to preserve the species?

2-Did Noah's family have separate living quarters?

3-Were all the animals in separate individual pens?

4-How was all the animal and people 's body waste disposed of since God had closed the door?

5-Would the Ark not have been a very smelly vessel?

BIBLE TRIVIA-What dancer so enchanted Herod that he offered her anything she wished?

Yesterday's answer-Vashti

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY LUKE 2:25-35

25 In Jerusalem live a man named Simeon who was a good man and godly. He was waiting for the time when God would take away Israel's sorrow, and the Holy Spirit was in him.

26 Simeon had been told by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he saw the Christ promised by the Lord.

27 The Spirit led Simeon to the Temple. When Mary and Joseph brought the baby Jesus to the Temple to do what the law said they must do,

28 Simeon took the baby in his arms and thanked God:

29 "Now, Lord, you can let me, your servant, die in peace as you said.

30 With my own eyes I have seen your salvation,

31 which you prepared before all people.

32 It is a light for the non Jewish people to see and an honor for your people, the Israelite."

33 Jesus' father and mother were amazed at what Simeon had said about him.

34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, "God has chosen this child to cause the fall and rise of many in Israel. He will be a sign from God that many people will not accept

35 so that the thoughts of many will be made known. And the things that will happen will make your heart sad, too."

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

Tuesday August 3,m 2010 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-Hindsight is what a mistake looks like from the rear-

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

3-Success is more who you are than what you have or what you do-

4-You overcome the fear of failure by trying-

5-Conformity does not always lead to popularity-

STRANGE THOUGHT-Rumors are so spreadable-

I'VE LEARNED-There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work and learning from failure-

DID YOU KNOW-Roger Ebert is the only film critic to have ever won the Pulitzer Prize-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-How many of earth's different species were taken on the ark?

2-In total, how many animals were on the ark?

3-Were all of today's animals directly represented on the ark or are they evolutionary descendents?

4-How did all the wild animals co-exist on the ark?

5-How was food for everyone (people and animals) provided?

BIBLE TRIVIA-What Persian queen upset the king and his counselor by refusing to appear before them at their drunken banquet?

Yesterday's answer-The witch of Endor

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY LUKE 2:22-24

22 When the time came for Mary and Joseph to do what the law of Moses taught about being made pure, they took Jesus to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord.

23 (It is written in the law of the Lord: "Every first born male shall be given to the Lord."

24 Mary and Joseph also went to offer a sacrifice, as the law of he Lord says: "You must sacrifice two doves or two young pigeons."

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