Oberstdorf page 2

 Oberstdorf page 2 by ric gustafson

Oberstdorf lies in Bavaria in a region called the Allgau. The area is known for the beauty of it's mountains. It is known for the toughness of it's people. The village is also the most southern village in Germany. Once you reach the village, the road ends. Then there is only footpaths south across the mountains.

Until tourism came to the village at the end of the 19th century, the village survived on cheese production, subsistence farming and iron ore. The village has always cared deeply about it's history.

The Oberstdorf saga starts at the end of the First World War. The foundation of Germany had been shaken. The Treaty of Versailles caused massive hyperinflation. During the 1920's, the village of Oberstdorf largely ignored Adolf Hitler and his new party. Things changed in 1930 during the election. More villagers voted for Hitler than against him. The villagers wanted a strong government. 

In 1932, the villagers did not like their first Nazi mayor. No matter how hard they tried, the village of Oberstdorf could not escape the war that was coming.

research help: ' A Village in the Third Reich' by Julia Boyd and Angelika Patel

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

names of Jesus: Heir of all things

 names of Jesus: Heir of all things by ric gustafson

The Heir of all things was present at the beginning of all things. The story does not end there. Everything in heaven and on earth belong to the Heir of all things. Hebrews 1 talks about the Heir of all things. 

The Heir of all things is generous, kind and invites us to know him. In the presence of the Heir of all things is peace, hope, faith and love. There is freedom from fear, and healing for our diseases. 

So who is the Heir of all things?. It is Jesus Christ whom I love.

research: ' Bible Word Search devotional' by Broad Street Publishing

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

the Great Emancipator page 1

the Great Emancipator page 1 by ric gustafson

On July 13 1862, President Abraham Lincoln was in a horse drawn carriage. Joining Lincoln at Oak Hill Cemetery in Georgetown was Navy Secretary Gideon Welles, Secretary of State William Seward and Seward's daughter in law Anna Seward. They were there for the burial of the Secretary of War's infant son. Lincoln was sad. Only months earlier, he had to bury his own son Willie at the same cemetery. Lincoln's 11 year old son died from typhoid fever. Willie was the favorite of both Abraham and Mary. When Willie died, Mary was inconsolable. She never recovered from his death. 

For President Lincoln, he did not have much time to grieve. There was torrential rain at Willie's funeral. With the President at the funeral were Gideon Welles. He was a journalist who switched parties. Like Lincoln, he had a disdain for slavery. He was Lincoln's Navy Secretary. Also with Lincoln was Secretary of State William Seward. Seward was also Lincoln's chief diplomat.

The state of the war was affecting all three men.

research help: ' Lincoln's Gamble' by Todd Brewster

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

names of God: Head of the Church

names of God: Head of the Church by ric gustafson

We have a Great High Priest. Ephesians 1 says and made him head over all things to the church. The Head of the Church cannot be put on a pedestal. No one can take his place. He is head over all things. It was in the early church. It is now also.

The Head of the Church has all power, glory and honor. The Head of the Church's Word is the last word. We need to love the Head of the Church.

So who is the Head of the Church?. It is Jesus Christ whom I love.

research help: ' Bible Word Search devotional' by Broad Street Publishing

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

names of Jesus: Great High Priest

 names of Jesus: Great High Priest by ric gustafson

According to Hebrews 4, we have a great high priest. The role of the high priest in the Old Testament was to stand between God and the people. He would offer sacrifices on the people's behalf. He would also intercede for them before God. The great high priest would be the administrator of the temple, God's house. The great high priest is the primary spiritual leader. 

The Great High Priest stands before God the Father interceding on our behalf. The Great High Priest sacrifices through his body and his blood. Through him, our sins are covered. 

So who is the Great High Priest?. It is Jesus Christ whom I love.

research help: ' Bible Word Search devotional' by Broad Street Publishing

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

King of the Night page 12

 King of the Night page 12 by ric gustafson

Johnny traveled west to LA pulling a U-Haul. His wife Jody came later with baby Chris. When Johnny got to LA, he stayed with his friend Bill Brennan. Brennan was the program manager at KNXT-TV. The station was a CBS affiliate. Brennan gave Johnny a job at the station for $115 a week. Brennan promised to help Johnny develop something.

Johnny rented  an apartment in the San Fernando Valley. Johnny started with the worst hours and the most menial chores. In Omaha, Johnny was a celebrity. In LA, Johnny felt like a nobody. When Johnny's second son Rick was born in 1952, Jody was already being shunted by Johnny.

By September 1952, Johnny gave himself one year to make it in LA. That year was almost over.

On Oct 4 1952, Johnny's big break came.

research help: ' King of the Night' by Laurence Leamer

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

7/16/1999 page 3

 7/16/1999 page 3 by ric gustafson

One afternoon, JFK Jr was eating lunch at the Stanhope Hotel Cafe M. Joining JFK Jr was his wife Carolyn and her sister Lauren. On a lunch of sea bass and salmon, the trio talked about an upcoming Kennedy wedding at Hyannis Port. This was the wedding of one of JFK Jr's cousins. His name was Rory Kennedy. JFK Jr spent the lunch telling the Bessete sisters about a new plane he had acquired. It was a Piper Saratoga. He was trying his hardest to convince the sisters to fly with him the following weekend. His goal was to fly to Cape Cod, then Martha's Vineyard and then to Hyannis Port. 

Carolyn was scared. She did not want her husband to fly period. She had good reason to be scared. The family had a terrible history with flying. JFK JR's Uncle Joseph P Kennedy died in WW2 when his bomber exploded. JFK Jr's Aunt Kathleen Kennedy Hartington died in a plane crash. So Carolyn was scared. Carolyn pleaded with JFK Jr not to fly. It was to no avail.

To JFK Jr, flying was an escape. He liked to live on the edge.

research help: ' The Day John Died' by Christopher Andersen

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric