God Reflections: Joshua 3

God Reflections: Joshua 3 by ric gustafson

The Israelites had been wandering in the wilderness for 40 years. Then one day, they came to a grove of acacia trees. These trees were just east of the Jordan River. Finally, the people were about to enter the Promised Land. Joshua 3 says sanctify yourselves for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you. 

When the people came up to the Jordan River, the priests were challenged?. Would the swollen water of the Jordan keep them from crossing?. Would the people be swept away in the water?. 

The priests stepped into the water by faith. God backed up the water all the way to a village called Adam. God removed the threat. Faith won out over fear. 

The people followed the priests across a dry river bed to the Promised Land.

Whatever God is calling you to do for him, like the priests take the first step.

God loves you more than anything else.

research help: ' Places in the Bible' by Woodrow Kroll

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

Wine page 7

Wine page 7 by ric gustafson

Grape skins contain tannin. Red wine contains more tannin than white wine. Tannin is the backbone of wine. Tannin acts like a preservative. Red wine can age far longer than white wine because of tannin. Cabernet Sauvignon has a significant amount of tannin. Pinot Noir has only a moderate amount of tannin. 

When you have bitter tannin to the juice, stems are usually removed by putting the grape bunches into a machine. The machine is called a crusher destemmer. With less tannic varieties such as Grenache or Pinot Noir, the stems are left.

Today, red wine is fermented in stainless steel tanks. These tanks are easier to clean and easier to control temperature. Winemakers can use cultured yeasts. This can help with control and rate of fermentation. The speed of fermentation affects the flavor of the wine. Slower fermentation produces more complex wine.

Fermentation is a chemical reaction during which carbon dioxide gas and heat are thrown off. Yeast converts grape sugar into alcohol. Then carbon dioxide bubbles up from the mass and pushes the skins up to the surface. 

Allowing the sugar to become alcohol can take several days to a few weeks. Then wine becomes dry. Ripe grapes contain an amount of sugar that will result in wine containing 8 to 15 percent alcohol. 

research help: ' The Wine Bible' by Karen MacNeil

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

Beatles Anthology page 14

 Beatles Anthology page 14 by ric gustafson

My name is Ringo Starr

On Madryn Street, we had a two bedroom house. One for my Mum. One for me. My grandparents lived on Madryn Street. My dad was gone. I was an only child. I was brought up by my grandparents and my mother. One of my saddest moments is when my Grandfather died. I was 19 or 20. I started school at St Siles. It was just up the road from our house.

At 6 and a half, I became deathly ill. My appendix burst. I had peritonitis. It was a heavy operation. Because of all the time recovering, I did not go back to school for two years.

Then we moved to the Dingle. It was a rough area of Liverpool. I had a couple of friends I spent time with. Merchant Seamen would bring back records and styles of clothes. 

My first musical memory about age 8 was Gene Autry.

research help: ' Beatles Anthology' by the Beatles

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

Paul Simon page 1

 Paul Simon page 1 by ric gustafson

Paul Fredric Simon was born on Oct 13 1941 in Newark New Jersey. Before his second birthday, the family moved to Kew Gardens Hills in Queens New York. Paul's uncle was Lee Schulman. He was a graphic artist who lived in Kew Gardens Hills. The area was a middle class neighborhood. Rows of attached and semiattached homes to the Simon family seemed like the American dream.

Paul loved music. His father Lou bought Paul a Stadium acoustic guitar. When he turned 13, Paul's brother Edward was born on Dec 14 1945.

To friends and family, the Simon family was a happy one. Paul's parents met through music. Belle Schulman met Paul's father Lou. Lou was playing in a band. 

They married on Sept 15 1938 in Newark. Both Belle and Lou were children of immigrants.

research help: ' Paul Simon the life' by Robert Hilburn

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

God Reflections: Psalm 139

 God Reflections: Psalm 139 by ric gustafson

We were not created by God quickly. God created us with intention and thoughtfulness. God as the loving maker crafted our personalities and preferences. God was pleased when he created us. According to Psalm 139, I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. 

We are God's masterpiece. God delights in us more than anything else. God does not regret how he made us. He does not regret creating us. We are unique. We have a special purpose in this world. 

God loves you more than anything else.

research help: ' When God thinks of you he smiles' by Broad Street Publishing

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

God Reflections: Isaiah 49

 God Reflections: Isaiah 49 by ric gustafson

We are always forgetting things. We forget car keys, meetings and anniversaries. The truth is God will not forget you. Isaiah 49 says though she may forget, I will not forget you. God is saying these things with pure joy, deep comfort and sublime refreshment. 

We forget things. God will not. Our Creator King loves us and cares deeply for us. We might feel abandoned and alone. But God will never forget us. Why?. Because he loves us more than anything else.

research help: ' Mini Devotions to refresh your heart' by Christian Art Publishers

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

God Reflections: Matthew 5

 God Reflections: Matthew 5 by ric gustafson

Too much salt is not good for us. At the time of Jesus, salt was very important. Before now with processed food, salt was a critical flavor and natural preservative. 

We are called to preserve the good ways of a good God. We have been called to bring the flavor of joy and expectation to people living in hopelessness.

God wants us to be salt and goodness. Why?. Because God loves us more than anything else.

research help: ' Mini Devotions to refresh your heart' by Christian Art Publishers

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric