Wine page 5

 Wine page 5 by ric gustafson

A lot of grapes can produce about 60 cases or 720 bottles. That varies as far as the amount of juice. Small berries will have less juice than large grape bunches. When grapes are barely pressed, the juice free runs.

Grape vines come in different shapes and sizes. Vine shapes and sizes is determined by grape variety and the climate. Also how the vines are pruned and spaced. 

Pruning is the process of cutting back the vines while they are dormant. Some people consider pruning an art and a science. What is left is the basis for the next year's crop. Pruning can not be too much or too little. 

The spacing of grape vines has become an art. In the past, economics determined vine spacing. The closer grape vines are spaced, their roots compete for the same soil, nutrients and water. The better balanced the vineyard the better the grapes and the better the wine. 

Grapes picked by hand is now a thing of the past. Mechanical harvesting is being used more around the world. There is no perfect yield. Every vineyard has a breaking point. Too many grapes will cause the vineyard to be out of balance. Then the quality of the wine will plummet.

Next we will talk about how wine is made.

research help: ' The Wine Bible' by Karen MacNeil

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

God Reflections: John 14

 God Reflections: John 14 by ric gustafson

In an Upper Room, Jesus tells his disciples the words of John 14. People think they know the way. In John 14, Jesus proclaims I am the way the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 

Jesus just told his disciples that he was going away. Only Thomas honestly admitted that he did not know the way. 

Jesus knew that he was the only way. Jesus himself is the way. Jesus always spoke the truth. Jesus lived the truth. Jesus was the truth.

Jesus says open your heart. Jesus died on the cross so we could have life. He who has the Son has life. Jesus wants to come into our heart. Let him. Jesus loves you more than anything else.

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

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

the miracle on Titanic page 17

 the miracle on Titanic page 17 by ric gustafson

As David and Charlene gazed up at a spectacular moonlight, Fourth Officer Boxhall was reworking the ship's route on a chart. He was worried about the route Mr Ismay wanted to take. The winter had been very warm and bergs and pack ice was worse this year than normal. Another thing bothering the young officer was a coal fire that was still not put out. The liner was going at full steam. 

First Officer Murdoch walked onto the bridge. " Boxhall, did you get those binoculars?".

" Aye Sir". He handed the leathercase to the officer. " Why can't they have them in the Crow's Nest?".

The officer gruffly replied. " They don't need them".

The next morning April 11, David was looking over the railing at the beautiful Irish coastline. " So the devil had to ask permission before he could tempt Job?".

" That's right". Charlene smiled. " God only allows as much as the person can handle".

They stopped a steward. " Why are we anchoring at this point and not docked?".

" The ship is too large to berth".

David watched as a tug carried new passengers to the huge ship.

They stopped Officer Murdoch. " How many passengers came onboard?".

" 120 I believe".

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

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