God Reflections: Hebrews 11

 God Reflections: Hebrews 11 by ric gustafson

Living on this troubled earth, we will have problems. Can we endure problems that come our way?.

 Hebrews 11 gives us that answer. The answer is faith. Faith is not presumption. Faith is not positive thinking. Hebrews 11 talks about ' assurance'. Assurance is that something is going to happen. Assurance is that God is going to do what he promises to do. 

What does Jesus promise to do for us?. He will not spare us from illness or death. Jesus does give us an assurance. Jesus does promise to redeem us when we die and take us to heaven to be with him forever. That is Jesus's assurance his promise to us. 

Jesus loves us more than anything else.

research help: ' Pathway to Victory' by Dr Robert Jeffress

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

the Firm page 24

 the Firm page 24 by ric gustafson

Abby took a sip of wine. " Our phones are tapped?".

" According to the FBI they are".

" They've chosen me for some reason".

" Did you tell Lamar about this visit?".

" No". Mitch's voice hesitated. " Just you".

Abby took another sip of wine. " Mitch, who tapped our phones?".

" The FBI implied it was someone from the firm".

" Why would the firm do that Mitch?". Abby's voice got lower so know one would hear her. " Have you seen any illegal deals?".

Mitch shook his head. " I have not seen anything suspicious".

Abby began to cry. " Mitch, why would a law firm do that?".

Mitch shook his head. " I have no idea".

research help: ' The Firm' by John Grisham

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

the Firm page 23

 the Firm page 23 by ric gustafson

Mitch stared at Eddie Lomax. " Did you find out anything about the three lawyers?".

" Alice Knauss was killed in a car wreck in 1977".

" Who did it?".

" A drunk driver". Eddie's voice hesitated. " The driver was never found".

Mitch gave him a puzzled look. " That's odd".

" Robert Lamm was a deer hunter in Arkansas".

" What happened to him?".

" He went one weekend on a deer hunt".

" Never came back?".

" Found him two weeks later in a ravine". His voice hesitated again. " Shot in the head".

" What about the third?".

" Mickel". He hesitated because of sleet coming down on his face. " Committed suicide at age 34 in 1984".

Mitch frowned. " What do you think of our law firm now Eddie?".

" Mitch, your firm has lost 5 lawyers in 15 years". His voice hesitated again. " Your firm is a dangerous place to work".

research help: ' The Firm' by John Grisham

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

the Luisitania Miracle page 2

 the Luisitania Miracle page 2 by ric gustafson

a work in progress

I walked past a Cunard man as he talked to an elderly woman. He was wearing a Harris tweed jacket. She was wearing a fox stable. 

" I hope this ship is safe?".

" Of course Madam". The Cunard man smiled as he pointed at the huge liner. " She is the greyhound of the seas".

There was a gentleman standing next to the woman. " Mother, there will be a Royal Navy escort in Great Britain's waters". He stared at the Cunard man. " Right Sir?".

" Of course". The Cunard man smiled. " We have the guarantee of the Admiralty itself".

I walked up to the Cunard man. " I heard this was the fastest steamer to be found".

" Of course". He stared at the people starting to walk up the gangplank. " I shall direct you to the saloon class line". He smiled. " This way if you please".

I picked up my valise and my suitcase. I slowly followed the three up the gangplank.

We entered the Luisitania through the open doors of the Shelter Deck.

research help: ' A Crown of Stars' by Shana Abe

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

Holding Heaven page 9

Holding Heaven page 9 by ric gustafson

Joseph held his son tightly. " And now my son". He smiled at his son Jesus. " I will continue the story".

Jesus looked at Joseph.

" After we returned to Bethlehem". He grinned. " We were visited by exotic men from the east".

Jesus stared at his father. 

" They were wise men". Joseph thought for a moment. " They brought you gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh".

Jesus stared at his father.

" They had been following a star for almost 2 years to find you".

Jesus stretched.

" In Jerusalem, they asked where the newborn King of the Jews was?".

Jesus stared at Joseph.

" King Herod found out the Magi wanted to come and worship him".

Joseph frowned. 

" King Herod summoned the Magi to his court".

research help: ' Holding Heaven' by Jerry B Jenkins

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

God Reflections: James 1

 God Reflections: James 1 by ric gustafson

According to James 1, the word ' testing' can apply to pottery. Also the word ' testing' can also apply to our Christian faith. James 1 says the testing of your faith produces endurance. Heat as far as pottery can cause major problems. The pottery could shatter. It must be discarded. 

Heat can sometimes strengthen pottery. The pottery is good. It will survive the firing oven. 

It is the same with our faith. We will have fiery problems. Will we survive or be shattered?. If we have faith in God, we will survive any problems thrown at us.

Why?. Because God loves us more than anything else.

research help: ' Pathway to Victory' by Dr Robert Jeffress

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

Wine page 8

 Wine page 8 by ric gustafson

Red Wine can be made from carbonic maceration. Light supergrapey wines such as Beaujolais are made this way. Whole bunches of grapes are put into a closed fermenting tank. The grapes on top crush the grapes below. Yeast on the grape skins, fermentation comes releasing of carbon dioxide. Fermentation from the inside can create a soft fruity grape flavored wine. Then the wine is drained of the skins. It is then drained into barrels. The mixture of wine and solids releases additional wine. Super premium wine are made from free run juice. 

Serious red wine is put in a barrel from a few months to a few years. Usually barrels are oak. In the barrels, chemical interactions will alter the wine's aroma, flavor and texture. After the wine is oak aged, wine can be filtered before bottling. Wine is filtered to avoid being spoiled by bacteria. 

In filtering, there are several types. One is where porous pads made of simple fibers. After filtering, the wine is bottled. 

The greatest red wine experiences both barrel and bottle aging.

research help: ' The Wine Bible' by Karen MacNeil

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric