Salome page 4

 Salome page 4 by ric gustafson

Salome watched as Zeb was dragging in the last of the day's catch. Zeb was tall, thin and sinewy. He had brown eyes and shaggy hair. He loved to fish. Usually they fished throughout the night because fish were more active at that time.

I found out from Abba that my sister Leah was betrothed to Kadmiel. It was a beautiful wedding. At one point, Jonah came up to me.

" Not dancing tonight Salome?".

" Maybe later".

Jonah looked over at his wife Keturah. " My wife is not interested in dancing tonight either".

" That's because she is large with child".

" Salome,I wanted to apologize for taunting you when we were young".

" I forgive you". I smiled. " It was years ago".

Jonah grinned. " Zeb has become a true and loyal friend".

I smiled. " He is".

research help: ' On Living Stone' by Heather Kaufman

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

God Reflections: Psalm 51

 God Reflections: Psalm 51 by ric gustafson

The Prophet Nathan confronted David about his sin. David confessed his sin. He got honest with God. Psalm 51 is a song David wrote to restore his relationship with God. 

When we sin, we need to get honest with God. Then we need spiritual cleansing. People in the bible needed spiritual cleansing. We do also. 

In Psalm 51, David prays for a pure and cleansed heart. David knows only God can do that. We confess, God gives us a pure heart. A pure heart takes time. It is a lifelong process. 

Ask God to cleanse your heart. The benefit of a purified heart?. We can have a blessed life. Jesus asks that we are truthful and honest with him. Why?. Because he loves us more than anything else.

research help: ' God Reflections' by Roma Downey and Mark Burnett

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

Beatles Anthology page 11

 Beatles Anthology page 11 by ric gustafson 

My name is George Harrison.

One day, I had to go to the hospital. I ended up at Alder Hey Hospital for 6 weeks. While I was there, I wanted to get my first guitar. My Mum gave me the money. It was a cheap guitar. It fell apart. I put the pieces in a cupboard for a year. Then my brother Pete fixed it for me.

One day, I met Paul McCartney on the bus. We were on the same bus coming from school. From my house, it took 20 minutes walking to get to the bus. 

On that bus, I noticed that Paul had a trumpet. Paul noticed I had a guitar. Paul was 13. I was 12. At that time, I loved listening to Fats Domino, the Coasters and Elvis. One time in 1956, I got to see Lonnie Donegan, Danny and the Juniors and the Crew Cuts. In 1958, I got to see Eddie Cochran. He was cool. He wore a black leather waistcoat, a raspberry coloured shirt and black leather trousers.

Lonnie Donegan started a music craze called skiffle. I started a skiffle group called the Rebels.

research help: ' Beatles Anthology' by the Beatles

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

the miracle on Titanic page 16

 the miracle on Titanic page 16 by ric gustafson

" Ten degrees port Mr Hichens" Fourth Officer Boxhall bellowed. " Steady as she goes".

First Officer William Murdoch looked up toward the Crow's Nest. " Do you have our binoculars?".

" No Sir" Boxhall replied. " I gave them to Fleet".

" Do we have another pair?".

" No Sir". Boxhall frowned. " I believe it is the only pair we have on board".

Anger came over the First Officer's face. " You make sure that pair gets back to the bridge".

" Aye Sir".

Just then, Captain Smith entered the bridge. His white uniform and white beard struck an instant presence. Behind him was Bruce Ismay. He was the Director of the White Star Line.

Ismay picked up a chart. " When do we arrive at Queensland Captain?".

Captain Smith stroked his white beard. " By noon tomorrow according to my chart".

Ismay glanced at another chart. " What is this course?".

" This is the course Mr Boxhall has laid out for us".

Ismay stared at the Fourth Officer. " Why?".

" It is a safer route". Boxhall smiled. " We can also watch out better for ice".

" Nonsense". Ismay growled. " It will add a day".

Boxhall frowned. " Sir, what about the ice?".

" If you get any reports of ice". Ismay looked at the Fourth Officer. " You bring them directly to me".

research help: ' Murder on the Titanic' by Jim Walker.

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

God Reflections: I Timothy 6

 God Reflections: I Timothy 6 by ric gustafson

Some people think that money is the root of all evil. Then you would think that there is something bad about wealth. God's Word does not teach this. God's Word teaches that the love of money is a source of all kinds of evil. 

Wealth can be a good thing. It can be used for wonderful things. It can also be a bad thing for certain people. It can ruin people. In this passage, Paul is writing to a young protege. His name is Timothy. 

Jesus teaches that people use their resources to do good, be generous and be willing to share.

Jesus loves us more than anything else.

research help: ' God Reflections' by Roma Downey and Mark Burnett

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

a New Hope page 2

 a New Hope page 2 by ric gustafson

C-3Po and R2-D2 watched as Rebel troops ran into the main corridor. They took up a defensive position near a sealed hatch.

C-3po turned to R2-D2. " We're doomed".

R2-D2 replied with whistles and beeps.

" There'll be no escape for the princess this time".

C-3po could hear strange noises coming from the ship's outer hall. " What's that?".

R2-D2 beeped.

Suddenly, the sealed hatch exploded. As the smoke cleared, an Imperial stormtrooper stepped through the hatch. Wearing a white helmet, he was cut down from Rebel return fire. A second stormtrooper came right behind him. He was cut down also as more stormtroopers poured into the corridor. Rebels began to retreat. C-3po and R2-D2 quickly exited the main corridor.

Then a tall caped figure walked out of the hatch into the corridor. He was dressed fully in black.

research help: ' A New Hope' by Ryder Windham

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

God Reflections: Joshua 24

 God Reflections: Joshua 24 by ric gustafson

Joshua was important in the Bible. He led the nation into the promised land. He conquered Jericho. Forty years after the battle of Jericho, the children of Israel are finally in the land promised to Abraham. 

And now was the passing of another generation. Joshua told this new generation all that God had done for them. God freed them from slavery. God protected them in the wilderness. God delivered their enemies into their hands. And now Joshua tells them they need to make a choice.

 Their choice is who or what are you going to serve?. Whom will you choose?. Joshua tells the people he and his children's choice. Their choice is to serve the Lord.

Jesus wants us to serve him. We have a choice. I pray it is the right one.

research help: ' God Reflections' by Roma Downey and Mark Burnett

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric