Facts, Trivia and Fun

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On the Lighter Side

Bible Trivia: 

Bible Trivia: 

Disobedience

Match each person with is act of disobedience.

1. Abraham (Gen. 16:1-3)
2. Jacob (Gen. 27:6-29)
3. Joseph’s brothers (Gen. 37:28)
4. Moses (Ex. 2:11-15)
5. Children of Israel (Num. 14:1-10)
6. Jonah (Jonah 1:1-3)
7. Saul (1 Sam. 15:20-21)
8. David (2 Sam. 11:3-21)
9. Peter (John 18:25)
10. Uzziah (2 Chron. 26:16)
11. Solomon (Neh. 13:25-27)
12. Tried to deliver Israel by his own power
13. Sold brother into slavery
14. Refused to enter the Promised Land according to God’s schedule
15. Took spoils of battle
16. Gained first place in family by deceit
17. Married strange wives
18. Lied about being Jesus’ disciple
19. Killed a man whose wife he coveted
20. Failed to believe God for promised descendants
21. Fled to keep from preaching to Nineveh
22. Burned incense upon the altar in the Temple

Trivia answers: 1.i 2.e 3.b 4.a 5.c 6.j 7.d 8.h 9.g 10.k 11.f

The Meaning of Luther’s Seal

The Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod is celebrating the 500thanniversary of the Reformation in 2017. Luther’s seal is perhaps the most enduring symbol of the Reformation. Do you know how meaningful this symbol of the black cross on a red heart embedded in a while rose and surrounded by a golden ring is?

In a letter to his prominent supporter, Lazarus Spengler, dated July 8, 1530, Luther explains: “First, there is a black cross in a heart that remains its natural color. This is to remind me that it is faith in the Crucified One that saves us. Anyone who believes from the heart will be justified (Rom. 10:10). It is a black cross which mortifies and causes pain, but it leaves the heart its natural color. It doesn’t destroy nature, that is to say, it does not kill us but keeps us alive. For the just shall live by faith in the Crucified One (Rom. 1:17). The heart should stand in the middle of a white rose. This is to show that faith gives joy, comfort, and peace. It puts the believer into a white, joyous rose. Faith does not give peace and joy like the world gives (John 14:27). That is why the rose must be white, not red. White is the color of the spirits and angels (Matt. 28:3; John 20:12). This rose should stand in a sky-blue field, symbolizing what a joyful spirit and faith is a beginning of heavenly, future joy, which begins now, but is grasped in hope, not yet fully revealed. Around the field of blue is a golden ring to symbolize that blessedness in heaven lasts forever and has no end. Heavenly blessedness is exquisite, beyond all joy and better than any possessions, just as gold is the most valuable and precious metal.”

Jesus Loves the Seniors

Jesus loves me, this I know,

Though my hair is white as snow.

Though my sight is growing dim, 

Still He bids me trust in Him.

Chorus: Yes, Jesus loves me. 

Yes, Jesus loves me.

Yes, Jesus loves me,

The Bible tells me so.

Though my steps are oh so slow,

With my hand in His, I’ll go

On through life, let come what may,

He’ll be there to lead the way.

When the nights are dark and long,

In my heart, He puts a song.

Telling me in words so clear,

“Have no fear, for I am near.”

The Founding Fathers

For some time the question of the religious faith of the Founding Fathers has generated a culture war in the United States. Pastors and Evangelicals have claimed not only that most of the Founders held orthodox beliefs but also that some were born again Christians. The Founders came from similar religious backgrounds. Most were Protestants such as Anglicanism (John Jay, George Washington, and Edward Rutledge.), Presbyterianism (Richard Stockton and John Witherspoon), Congregationalism (John Adams and Samuel Adams), Quakers, Lutherans, Dutch Reformed, as well as Roman Catholic (Charles  Carroll, Daniel Carroll, and Thomas Fitzsimmons). A colonial church served not only religious but also social and political functions. The Founding Fathers referred to God with such expressions as “Providence”, “The Creator”, and ”Divine Goodness.” John Jay served as president of the American Bible Society. Patrick Henry, distributed religious tracts while riding circuit as a lawyer. Our nation owes much to the Judeo-Christian tradition, a movement of reason and equality that influenced the Founding Fathers to embrace their political ideas which were very remarkable for their time and for all time.

Francis Scott Key, who also wrote the "Star Spangled Banner", our nation's National Anthem, wrote the following hymn:

"Before you, Lord, we bow.  Our God who reigns above and rules the world below, boundless in power and love.  Our thanks we bring, in joy and praise, our hearts we raise, to you, our King.

Earth, hear your Maker's voice.  Your great Redeemer own.  Believe, obey, rejoice, and worship Him alone.  Cast down your pride, your sin deplore, and bow before the Crucified."

Jesus’ Friends: The Rest of the Story

Peter was crucified upside down.

Matthew was nailed to the ground with short spears and then beheaded.

John was boiled in oil, but then sentenced to the mines on the Island of Patmos. Later he was freed and lived in what is now Turkey. He died of old age.

James was thrown 100 foot down from the pinnacle of the temple when he refused to deny Christ. He was the first Apostle to die a martyr’s death.

Bartholomew (Nathanael) was flayed to death with a whip.

Andrew was crucified on an X shaped cross in Greece.

Thomas was stabbed with a spear in India. Some reports say he was sawed in half.

Matthias was stoned and beheaded.

Paul was tortured and beheaded.

St. Jameswas beheaded by Herod in Palestine.

Philip was crucified. 

Jude was crucified.

Luke was crucified.

Mark was burned alive and speared.

These men had every opportunity to deny Christ and live, but they knew His truth and that Christ had risen from the dead and was truly the Son of God. They were willing to face horrible deaths because of their faith in our Savior.

Everything I Need to Know, I Learned From Noah

1. Don’t miss the boat.
2. We are all in the same boat.
3. Plan ahead. It wasn’t raining when Noah started      building.
4. Stay fit. When you are 60 someone may ask you to      do something big.
5. Build your future on high ground.
6. Don’t listen to critics. Just get on      with the job you were assigned.
7. For safety’s sake, travel in pair.
8. Speed isn’t always an      advantage. Snails were on the ark      with the cheetahs.
9. When you are stressed, float a      while.

10. The ark was built by an amateur. The Titanic was built by professionals.

11. No matter what the storm, when you are with God, there is always a rainbow waiting.