God Reflections: I Timothy 6

 God Reflections: I Timothy 6 by ric gustafson

The Apostle Paul knew what he was fighting for. Paul focused on his ministry for Jesus. Because of Paul, Timothy became a Jesus follower. Paul and Timothy had a special relationship. 

In I Timothy 6, Paul challenges Timothy to fight the good fight. Paul tells Timothy to fight the good fight of the faith. Paul tells Timothy to pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. 

Paul tells us to use the Holy Spirit to help us use these qualities. 

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

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

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

AA Milne page 3

AA Milne page 3 by ric gustafson

In 1894, the school year at Westminster School for AA started. School started well for him. At the age of 12, his grades were encouraging. He liked the school and his brother Ken was also attending there. AA's summer term did not go as well. Headmaster Dr Rutherford reported that AA showed little or no ambition.

AA loved being with his brother Ken. Together, they took country walks, rode bicycles and read together. Sports was one thing the boys loved doing together. AA was good at football, cricket and sprinting. Both brothers tried to out do each other.

Both brothers liked to write. In the late 1890's, AA had one major goal for his writing. At this time, only one magazine mattered in the British Empire. The magazine was founded in 1841. It was a weekly magazine of humor and satire. It would get it's name and logo from a famous puppet. Later, when AA had his children's books illustrated it was this magazine that did it. 

This magazine was in drawing rooms, libraries, doctor waiting rooms and dentist waiting rooms. After a couple of years, AA became a regular contributor to this magazine.

The magazine was called ' Punch'.

research help: ' Somewhere a Boy and a Bear' by Gyles Brandreth.

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric 

God Relections: Galatians 5

 God Reflections: Galatians 5 by ric gustafson

This bible chapter talks about the Galatian believers. They know they now have freedom in Jesus. But instead of enjoying this new freedom, they have slipped back into their old ways. They put themselves into law keeping that has made them feel holy. Galatians 5 says now make sure that you stay free don't get tied up again in slavery to the law.

We try for impossible dreams. When we don't reach those goals, we think we have failed. 

Jesus died on the cross so we can be free and filled.

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

John and Caroline page 7

 John and Caroline page 7 by ric gustafson

Carolyn Bessette on Sept 5 1994, was to find out what the Kennedy family does on Labor Day. The family served breakfast at 6 and 7:30. Carolyn slept in till 9. She missed breakfast. She made sure she was at Eunice and Sarge's for lunch. Before lunch, everyone went sailing. It was a Kennedy tradition. Then after lunch, everyone headed down to the beach.

Then the biggest event of the weekend happened. Ted Kennedy had his famous clambake. He did it at least 4 times a year. It was usually attended by about 150 people. Not only family and friends were invited but also political big wigs. The family considered the event a private affair. There were no pictures allowed. To the Kennedy family, the clambake was a tradition.

John looked forward to seeing his sister Caroline Schlossberg, her husband Ed and their 3 children. Caroline wanted to tell her brother about a new summer home they had bought on Long Island.

research help: ' The Kennedy Heirs' by J Randy Taraborrelli

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

God Reflections: John 19

God Reflections: John 19 by ric gustafson

When Jesus spoke his final words from the cross, The Apostle John was there. Before his death, Jesus was arrested late in the night. During that night and early morning, Jesus had to go through illegal trials by the religious establishment. Jesus was taken to Pontius Pilate. Pilate was the Roman official in charge of Judea. Only the Romans could give Jesus the death penalty. Only the Romans could execute a convict. 

The Romans used the most brutal and painful way for capital punishment. It was called crucifixion.

Jesus's final cry from the cross was one of triumph. He proclaimed ' It is finished'.

Jesus's sacrifice for us on that cross meant that our sins and guilt had been paid in full by Jesus. 

Praise God's name.

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

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

Beatles Anthology page 13

 Beatles Anthology page 13 by ric gustafson

My name is Ringo Starr.

I was born on July 7 1940. I was born at number 9 Madryn Street Liverpool 8. Our neighborhood was really bombed during the war. We had to hide in the coal cellar. When I was older, we played on the rubble and in air raid shelters.

We were an ordinary poor working class family. My mother's mother had 14 children. My granddad was Johnny Parkin. When my grandfather's mother remarried, she married a Starkey. So my grandfather changed his name to Starkey also. 

My father was a baker. When I was 3, he left my mother and I. I was an only child. When I was 13, she remarried. I have no real memories of my father. After he left, I only saw him 5 times after that. I was angry he left us. I had to go through therapy for my feelings toward him.

research help: ' Beatles Anthology' by the Beatles

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

God Reflections: Psalm 103

 God Reflections: Psalm 103 by ric gustafson

God has done many good things for us. David reflects in Psalm 103 of the good things God has done for him. In this psalm, David is filled with gratitude and praise. David was far from perfect. The truth is that David was a man after God's heart. David loved worshiping God. 

David says more than once praise the Lord. In this psalm David lists six reasons to give God praise. First, God forgives our sins. Second, God heals our diseases. Third, God redeems us. Fourth, God loves us. Fifth, God gives us good things. Sixth, God renews us. God loves us more than anything else.

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

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric