Rapture: the mystery

 Rapture: the mystery by ric gustafson

There are many mysteries of the Rapture in the book of Revelation. The first is in the first chapter. There is the mystery of the stars and the lampstands. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches. The seven lampstands are the seven churches. In Ephesians, The Apostle Paul talks about the mystery of the body of Christ. In Colossians, Paul talks about the mystery of the indwelling Messiah. Also in the book of Ephesians, Paul talks about the mystery of the church as the bride of Christ. The biggest mystery is from I Corinthians 15. This is the mystery of the Rapture. Paul says that we will not all sleep. But we shall all be changed. It will be in the twinkling of an eye. At the last trumpet. The dead will be raised. And we shall be changed. Praise Jesus's name.

research help: ' The Great Disappearance' by Dr David Jeremiah

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

the Story: you fear God

 the Story: you fear God by ric gustafson

Just as Abraham was about to slay his son Isaac, God stopped him.

" Do not lay a hand on the boy".

God knew Abraham loved him and would obey him.

" Now I know that you fear God".

Abraham noticed a ram caught by it's horns in a thicket.

" You did not withheld from me your son your only son".

Abraham took the ram. He sacrificed it instead of his son as a burnt offering.

A closer relationship with God is worth any cost.

research help: ' The Story 365 devotions' by Zondervan

Peace and God's blessings Love Ric

the Reluctant Beatle page 22

 the Reluctant Beatle page 22 by ric gustafson

In the late summer of 1966, the Beatles released an album called ' Revolver'. George contributed 3 tracks to the album. The opening track was one of George's. It was called ' Taxman'. George was upset about a 95 percent supertax that the band might have to pay eventually. George's second track was ' I Want To Tell You'. It told about thoughts during an acid trip. George's third track was ' Love You To'. On that track George played a solitary sitar'.

Even though the band was tired of touring, Epstein persuaded them to do a 1966 world tour. The first three shows were in Tokyo Japan. The band played at the Nippon Budokan Hall. The band received death threats. Then the band moved on to the Philippines. The band played at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium. Disaster came when the band did not show up at a children's party hosted by Imelda Marcos. Television reports claimed that the band had snubbed the First Lady. The band barely made it out of the country. The band later found out Brian Epstein had to pay the country a hefty bribe in cash.

After safely returning from the international part of the tour, John and George told Epstein they had had enough. They were skeptical about going back to the States. They finally agreed under one condition. After the US part of the tour, they were not going to tour again.

research help: ' George Harrison the Reluctant Beatle' by Philip Norman

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

The Story: a sacrifice

 The Story: a sacrifice by ric gustafson

Abraham built an altar. He was numb. He arranged the wood on it. No tears came. He bound his son. He knew what he had to do. He bound his son Isaac. He knew what God had commanded him to do. He put Isaac on top of the wood. Then Abraham picked up the knife. He raised it.

Then Abraham heard an angel of the Lord. " Do not lay a hand on the boy".

Abraham lowered the knife.

" Now I know that you fear God".

God was pleased.

research help: ' The Story 365 devotions' by Zondervan

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

the Reluctant Beatle page 21

 the Reluctant Beatle page 21 by ric gustafson

In 1965, John and George tried LSD for the first time. The two became closer taking acid trips together. George was happy playing the sitar on a new Beatle song. On the way to Abbey Road studio, John would pick up Ringo and then George. 

' Rubber Soul' was released in December 1965. George was happier because two tracks from him were on the album. They were ' Think For Yourself' and ' If I Needed Someone'. Because of George, Traffic and the Stones began to use the sitar on their albums. George began talking to Ayana Angadi about the religion and culture of India.

One day, George proposed to Patti Boyd. In Jan 1966, they were married at the Epsom Register Office. Brian Epstein and Paul were George's best man. Patti's Uncle John gave her away.

Eventually, George did meet Ravi Shankar. He never tried to impress George. He taught things to George. He taught George how to properly play the sitar. It was not an easy instrument to master.

George was eager to try.

research help: ' George Harrison the Reluctant Beatle' by Philip Norman

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

the $2.15 Thanksgiving dinner page 3

the $ 2.15 Thanksgiving dinner page 3 by ric gustafson

Duncan smiled as he finished the last of his dessert. " That was good pumpkin pie".

Agnes dabbed her mouth with a napkin. " That was good turkey and mashed potatoes and gravy".

Pop finished his pie. " That was good pie".

Yvonne sighed. " I'm stuffed".

Pop took a sip of water. " This dinner was on me".

Duncan grinned. " Why?".

Pop smiled. " To say thank you for being a servant today".

Agnes frowned. " A servant?".

" For serving my people today".

A tear came to Agnes's face. " I wanted to".

" I know". Pop stood up from the table. " I need to leave and spend time with my followers".

Agnes frowned. " Will you be back?".

" Yes at Christmas".

Agnes heard a noise. She turned her head. She turned back. Pop was gone.

She smiled. She looked forward to Christmas.

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Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

the Reluctant Beatle page 20

 the Reluctant Beatle page 20 by ric gustafson

George was still seeing Patti Boyd. George met Patti's parents Jock and Diana. Patti met George's parents Harold and Louise. Dating George, Patti received hate mail. Patti was friendly with Cynthia Lennon. She had more in common with Paul's girlfriend Jane Asher. In Feb 1965, Ringo married hairdresser Maureen Cox. Dr Walter Strach helped George find a house in Esher. It was called ' Kinfauns'.

It was decided that the band would make a second film. It would be called ' Help'. There was a soundtrack album for the film. The title song was written by John Lennon. There were two songs on the soundtrack album written by George. The first was ' You Like Me Too Much'. The other was ' I Need You'. 

In June 1965, the Queen awarded each Beatle an MBE. In August of 1965, the band played New York's Shea Stadium. The audience was 55,000. Twelve days later, the band met one of their heroes. They met Elvis Presley. 

George started playing an India instrument called a sitar. A composer of the sitar was Ravi Shankar. George really wanted to meet him. Their new album was going to be called ' Rubber Soul'. One of the tracks on it needed something extra added. George Martin thought George playing the sitar was just what he needed.

research help: ' George Harrison the Reluctant Beatle' by Philip Norman

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric