TWILIGHT TIME

GRAND CANYON SUNSET

What is the difference between Sunset, Civil Twilight, Nautical Twilight and Astronomical Twilight?

SUNSET is when the sun touches the horizon.

CIVIL TWILIGHT is when the sun is 6 degrees below the horizon.

NAUTICAL TWILIGHT is when the sun is 12 degrees below the horizon.

ASTRONOMICAL TWILIGHT is when the sun is 18 degrees below the horizon.

SONS of THUNDER

JAMES, JESUS AND JOHN

Jesus gave some of His disciples nicknames.  Simon was given the nickname "Peter."  And James and John were called the "Sons of Thunder."

"And He appointed twelve, so that they would be with Him and that He could send them out to preach, and to have authority to cast out demons.  And He appointed the twelve: Simon (to whom gave the name "Peter"), and James, the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James (to them He gave the name Boanerges, which means,"Sons of Thunder");  

Mark 3:14-17 NASB

On the way to Jerusalem, Jesus sent His disciples on ahead of Him to look for a place to eat and sleep.   They entered a Samaritan village.   

 "When the days were approaching for His ascension, He was determined to go to Jerusalem; and He sent messengers on ahead of Him, and they went and entered a village of the Samaritans to make arrangements for Him."  Luke 9:51-52 NASB

The Samaritan's refused to give accommodations, because the disciples told them they were on their way to Jerusalem.  James and John got angry.

"But they did not receive Him, because He was traveling toward Jerusalem.   When His disciples James and John saw this, they said, "Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?"  Luke 9:53-54 NASB

"But He turned and rebuked them, and said, "You do not know what kind of spirit you are of; for the Son of Man did not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them."  And they went on to another village."  Luke 9:55-56 NASB

On the way to Jerusalem, Jesus and the disciples may have hiked the Jericho road.

"And behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested Him, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”

He said to him, “What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?”

 So he answered and said, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and ‘your neighbor as yourself.

 And He said to him, “You have answered rightly; do this and you will live.”
But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”  Luke 10:25-29 NKJV

Then Jesus answered and said: “A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. 

Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 

 

Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side.

   

But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion.  So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him.

  

On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.’

   
So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?”

And he said, “He who showed mercy on him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”  Luke 10:30-37 NKJV

JESUS told the story of the Good Samaritan not only to the Lawyer; but to James and John the ''Sons of Thunder."

God doesn't want us to pray for lightning to zap people; but to have compassion and mercy.

SHEPHERDS and ANGELS

SHEPHERDS FIELD 

"And in the same area there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.  And then an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were very afraid."

"But the angel said to them,
'Listen!  Do not fear.  For I bring you good news of great joy, which will be to all people.  For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.  And this will be a sign to you; You will find the baby wrapped in strips of cloth, lying in a manger."

"Suddenly there was with the angel a company of heavenly host praising God and saying, 
'Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace and good will toward men."

"When the angels went away from them unto heaven, the shepherds said to each other, 
'Let us now go to Bethlehem and see what has happened, which the Lord has made known to us."

STONE MANGER

"So they came hurrying and found Mary and Joseph, and the Baby lying in a manger.  When they had seen Him, they made widely known the word which was told them concerning this Child.  And all those who heard it marveled at what the shepherds told them."

"But Mary kept all things and pondered them in her heart.  The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, as it had been told them."  Luke 2:8-20  (Modern English Version)

SAUL's RAGE

After Stephen preached, 

"Now when they heard this they began gnashing their teeth at him.  Acts 7:54 NASB
the angry mob dragged him out of the city to the LION's GATE (Saint Stephen's Gate)

"When they had driven him out of the city, they began stoning him; and the witnesses laid aside their robes at the feet of a young man named Saul.   They went on stoning Stephen as he called on the LORD and said, 

"Lord Jesus receive my spirit!"  

Then falling on his knees, he cried out with a loud voice, 

"LORD, do not hold this sin against them!"  Having said this, he fell asleep."  Acts 7:58-60 NASB

Saul's rage began persecuting Christians  

"Saul was of the official witnesses at the killing of Stephen.  A great wave of persecution began that day, sweeping over the church in Jerusalem, and all the believers except the apostles fled into Judea and Samaria.  (Some godly people came and buried Stephen with loud weeping.)  Saul was going everywhere to devastate the church.  He went from house to house, dragging out both men and women to throw them into jail."  Acts 8:1-3 NLT

The believers fled from Jerusalem

"Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word.  Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them.  And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did."  Acts 8:4-6 NKJV

Saul's Mission to Damascus

"Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the LORD, went to the high priest and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem."  Acts 9:1-2 NKJV

SAULS's RAGE traveling 136 miles in 6 days!

"As he went he drew near Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him.  He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him,  "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?"  He said, "Who are You, LORD?"   The LORD said, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.  It is hard for you to kick against the goads."  Trembling and astonished, he said, "Lord, what will You have me do?  The LORD said to him,  "Rise up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do."
The men traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice, but seeing no one.  Saul rose up from the ground.  And when his eyes were opened, he saw nothing.  So they led him by the hand and brough him into Damascus.  For three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank."  Acts 8:3-9 MEV

Ananias a disciple of Jesus had a vision

"And the LORD said to him, "Get up and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying, and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay hands on him, so that he might regain his sight." Acts 9:11-12 NASB

Ananias fears Saul

"But LORD," exclaimed Ananias, "I've heard about the terrible things this man has done to the believers in Jerusalem!  And we hear that he is authorized by the leading priests to arrest every believer in Damascus."  But the LORD said, "Go and do what I say.  For Saul is my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as the people of Israel.  And I will show him how much he must suffer for me."  Acts 9:13-15 NLT

Ananias visits Saul

"And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, "Brother Saul, the LORD Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit."  Acts 9:16-17 NKJV

Saul is healed by God

"Immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he could see again.  And he rose up and was baptized.  When he had eaten, he was strengthened."  Acts 9:18-19 MEV

Let God heal you of your anger and rage.

Learn to forgive.

HIKE WITH JESUS TO EMMAUS

"But very early on Sunday morning the women came to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared."  Luke 24:1 NLT

The modern city of Emmaus is 20 miles away, but the ancient village was only 7 miles from Jerusalem.

"That same day two of Jesus' followers were walking to the village of Emmaus, seven miles out of Jerusalem."  Luke 24:13 NLT

"As they walked along they were talking about everything that had happened.  Suddenly, Jesus himself came along and joined them and began walking beside them."  Luke 24:14-15 NLT

"But there eyes were prevented from recognizing Him.  And He said to them, "What are these words that you are exchanging with one another as you are walking?"  And they stood still, looking sad."  Luke 24:16-17 NAS

One of them, named Cleopas, answered and said to Him,  "Are You the only one visiting Jerusalem and unaware of the things which have happened here in these days?"  Luke 24:18 NAS

"And He said to them,  "What things?"
"And they said to Him,  "The things concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a Prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered Him to be condemned to death, and crucified Him."
"But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel.  Indeed, besides all this, today is the third day since these things happened."  Luke 24:19 -21 NKJV

If Saturday is the second day since these things happened and Friday the first day since these things happened; was the Crucifixion on Thursday?

"Yes, and certain women of our company, who arrive at the tomb early, astonished us.  When they did not find His body, they came saying that they had also seen a vision of angels who said He was alive.  And certain of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but Him they did not see."   Luke 24:22-24 NKJV

"And He said to them, "O foolish men and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken!  Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and to enter into His glory?"  Luke 24:25-26 NASB

"Then Jesus quoted passages from the writing of Moses and all the prophets, explaining what all the scriptures said about himself."  Luke 24:27 NLT

"By this time they were nearing Emmaus and the end of their journey.  Jesus would have gone on, but they begged him to stay the night with them, since it was getting late."
So he went home with them.  As they sat down to eat, he took a small loaf of bread, asked God's blessing on it, broke it, then gave it to them.  Suddenly, their eyes were opened, and they recognized him.  And at that moment he disappeared!"   Luke 24:28-31 NLT

"They said to one another, "Were not our hearts burning within us while He was speaking to us on the road, while He was explaining the Scriptures to us?"  Luke 24:32 NASB

"They rose up and returned to Jerusalem at once.  And they found the eleven and those who were with them assembled together, saying, "The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!"  Then they reported what had happened on the way, and how He was recognized by them in the breaking of the bread."  Luke 24:33-35 MEV

WHAT SIGN WAS GIVEN TO THE SHEPHERDS?

STONE MANGER IN BETHLEHEM

JESUS IS THE GOOD SHEPHERD

Jesus said, "I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.  He who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who is not the owner of the sheep, sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them."   John 10:11-12 NASB


JOSEPH AND MARY WENT TO BETHLEHEM, BECAUSE OF CAESAR'S CENSUS
Mary  "...she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn."  

Luke 2:7 NASB

SHEPHERD WERE KEEPING WATCH AT NIGHT
"And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened."  Luke 2:9 NASB  


GOOD NEWS
"But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord."  Luke 2:10 NAS


SIGN TO THE SHEPHERDS
"This will be a sign for you:  you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.  And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased."   Luke 2:12-14 NAS


THE SHEPHERDS SEARCHED
"So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger.  When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this child.  And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds."  Luke 2:16-18 NAS


Born this day in Bethlehem, the Savior, Messiah, Lord, and Good Shepherd.
"But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Too little to be among the clans of Judah, From you One will go forth for Me to be ruler of Israel..."  Micah 5:2 NASB

Jesus said, "I am the good shepherd, and I know my own and my own know me..."   John 10:14 NASB

STANSBURY ISLAND ROAD

STANSBURY ISLAND

Enjoy riding your mountain bike on a Sunday down the road to the north side of the Island where you'll find a restroom, several kiosks and a hiking trail to the salt flats.  (There is a lot of traffic including semis on week days.)

There is private property on both sides of the road until you bike to the public land on the north side of the Island.

MILEAGE: 17 miles total

ELEVATION GAIN: 180'

DIRECTIONS: Take I-80 west toward Wendover, do not take the Tooele exit but continue on I-80 west to exit 84 (SR 138). 

After you exit take the Broken Arrow Salt road (dirt) and do not take the Grantsville road.  

You'll cross the railroad twice. 

Travel on the main dirt road 7.1 miles until you come upon a sign: "Stansbury Island Interpretive Trail."

GREAT SALT LAKE

Where you'll see a parking area marked with large boulders, turn right drive up a short dirt road.  Low clearance vehicles may want to park by the main road instead.

There is a trail that you can hike to the ridge and the east side of Stansbury Island too.  This trail is Advanced Technical for Mountain Biking.

Make sure you have thorn protection from Goatheads.

 GPS: 40°48'23.0"N 112°31'13.5"W

NO RESTROOM