Holding Heaven page 9

Holding Heaven page 9 by ric gustafson

Joseph held his son tightly. " And now my son". He smiled at his son Jesus. " I will continue the story".

Jesus looked at Joseph.

" After we returned to Bethlehem". He grinned. " We were visited by exotic men from the east".

Jesus stared at his father. 

" They were wise men". Joseph thought for a moment. " They brought you gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh".

Jesus stared at his father.

" They had been following a star for almost 2 years to find you".

Jesus stretched.

" In Jerusalem, they asked where the newborn King of the Jews was?".

Jesus stared at Joseph.

" King Herod found out the Magi wanted to come and worship him".

Joseph frowned. 

" King Herod summoned the Magi to his court".

research help: ' Holding Heaven' by Jerry B Jenkins

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

God Reflections: James 1

 God Reflections: James 1 by ric gustafson

According to James 1, the word ' testing' can apply to pottery. Also the word ' testing' can also apply to our Christian faith. James 1 says the testing of your faith produces endurance. Heat as far as pottery can cause major problems. The pottery could shatter. It must be discarded. 

Heat can sometimes strengthen pottery. The pottery is good. It will survive the firing oven. 

It is the same with our faith. We will have fiery problems. Will we survive or be shattered?. If we have faith in God, we will survive any problems thrown at us.

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

research help: ' Pathway to Victory' by Dr Robert Jeffress

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

Wine page 8

 Wine page 8 by ric gustafson

Red Wine can be made from carbonic maceration. Light supergrapey wines such as Beaujolais are made this way. Whole bunches of grapes are put into a closed fermenting tank. The grapes on top crush the grapes below. Yeast on the grape skins, fermentation comes releasing of carbon dioxide. Fermentation from the inside can create a soft fruity grape flavored wine. Then the wine is drained of the skins. It is then drained into barrels. The mixture of wine and solids releases additional wine. Super premium wine are made from free run juice. 

Serious red wine is put in a barrel from a few months to a few years. Usually barrels are oak. In the barrels, chemical interactions will alter the wine's aroma, flavor and texture. After the wine is oak aged, wine can be filtered before bottling. Wine is filtered to avoid being spoiled by bacteria. 

In filtering, there are several types. One is where porous pads made of simple fibers. After filtering, the wine is bottled. 

The greatest red wine experiences both barrel and bottle aging.

research help: ' The Wine Bible' by Karen MacNeil

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

God Reflections: Hebrews 11

 God Reflections: Hebrews 11 by ric gustafson

Do you believe that God created everthing?. You could have a traditional religious viewpoint and say yes. Or you can have a dominant scientific viewpoint and say no way. Either viewpoint involves faith. Genesis 1 says in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. But what if our faith is based on our own limited observation and interpretation?. Those who reject God use unreliable confidence. As Christians, our faith is based on what the Creator declares in his Word. We accept God's Word by faith.

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

research help: ' Our daily times with God' by Discovery House Publishers

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

God Reflections: Psalm 8

 God Reflections: Psalm 8 by ric gustafson

Because of doing a job right, some people get a good reputation. Because of the quality of their work, the person has made a name for himself. 

God is like that. Look what God's workmanship has done. God made the planets and the stars. God made the seas and the animal world. God made man. Crowned with glory and honor. Made a little lower than the angels. Has been given authority over all creation. 

We need to praise God. Psalm 8 says our Lord how excellent is your name in all the earth. We need to magnify God. We need to exalt God. Why?. Because God is the one who made us and crowned us with glory and honor.

God loves us more than anything else.

research help: ' Our daily times with God' by Discovery House Publishers

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

H P and the Deathly Hallows page 8

H P and the Deathly Hallows page 8 by ric gustafson

Harry Potter watched as the Dursley's car left the driveway. He walked over and picked up Hedwig's cage. He also picked up his Firebolt and his rucksack. He walked downstairs. He put the items at the foot of the stairs. He looked around. Harry knew he was leaving the house for the last time.

From the kitchen, Harry looked out the kitchen window into the back garden. He heard a noise in the distance. Out of the darkness came an enourmous motorbike. It had a black sidecar. He burst through the back door. It was Harry's friend Hagrid.

" All right Harry". He smiled. " Ready for the off?".

" Of course". Harry heard another noise. He walked over to the kitchen window. He looked out. He noticed several brooms and 2 black winged horses.

Harry turned. " Hagrid, who else is coming?".

Hagrid grinned. He opened the kitchen door. 

In walked in Harry's friends, Ron, Hermione, Fred, George, Bill, Mr Weasley, Mad Eye, Tonks, Lupin, Fleur and Kingsley. Lastly, Harry's friend Moody came in.

" Everyone sit down". Moody said loudly. " We need to plan Harry's escape".

research help: ' Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows' by J K Rowling

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

God Reflections: Genesis 1

God Reflections: Genesis 1 by ric gustafson

There is somebody deep in the universe who has absolute power. Deep in the universe this person resides at an unknown address. How do we know this person has absolute power?. This person created the universe. 

Genesis 1 says that in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. God created everything. He spared no detail. God saw everything that he had made. God said it was very good.

Even though sin spoiled God's handiwork, God's power still reigns.

Later, God became man. He died. He was resurrected. This act brought creation full circle to it's life giving essence. It shows that God has the power to deliver from death. God's power reigns.

research help: ' Our daily times with God' by Discovery House Publishers

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric