God Reflections: Psalm 73

 God Reflections: Psalm 73 by ric gustafson

Why do good people suffer?. Why do bad people prosper?. Psalm 73 was written by a man named Asaph. He was one of King David's musicians. Asaph realizes there is a lack of fairness in the world. Asaph becomes discouraged trying to live a righteous life. Asaph knows he has tried to keep his heart pure. 

So what did Asaph do to change his thinking?. He looked at the bigger picture. He goes to church. Asaph remembers that God is always with us. He knows God guides us and gives us strength. Asaph knows at the end of this life, he will be with God. God loves us more than anything else.

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

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

the Nine page 11

 the Nine page 11 by ric gustafson

My name is Justice Clarence Thomas

In July of 2003, I was tired. My mother and childhood friends were coming to visit. Our Supreme Court yearly term just ended. It did not end on a good note. By a 5-4 vote, a University of Michigan Law School case was upheld. My legacy as the second black justice is to campaign to rewrite the nation's laws on race. For twelve years, I have voted to take race out of public schools, universities, the job market and voting districts. 

My family is descended from Georgia slaves. My grandfather was raised by a former slave. At age 16, I was the first black student to integrate a Catholic high school seminary. In college, I joined black power movement. I protested the war in Vietnam. I staged campus protests to demand equal treatment for black Americans. 

I entered Yale Law School as a beneficiaries of an affirmative action plan.

research help: ' Judging Thomas' by Ken Foskett

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

God Reflections: Ecclesiastes 1

 God Reflections: Ecclesiastes 1 by ric gustafson

Solomon was a complex person. He was King David's son. He inherited the throne of the kingdom of Israel. He asked God for wisdom. He received more wisdom than he asked for. He was the richest man in the world. He had the good life. The truth was even with everything he had, Solomon was disillusioned with life. 

Today's word from Ecclesiastes is vanity vanity all is vanity. You could also say meaningless everything is meaningless. Life is not about power, possessions, prestige or popularity. 

We all hunger for meaning. We all hunger for God.

What is the purpose of life?. It is to love God and love one another. With God in our hearts, we need to be thankful every day.

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

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

Beatles Anthology page 8

Beatles Anthology page 8 by ric gustafson

My name is Paul McCartney.

I knew George from the bus. I lived in Speke. George was a bus stop away. We were close in age. So we spoke to each other on the bus. George was a year younger than me. I told John about George. I told John 

George was a really good guitar player. 

One night, John George and I were riding on top of an empty bus. George got out his guitar. For John, George played a song called ' Raunchy'. Even though George was young, John was impressed with his guitar playing. He invited him to join the band.

John was almost 17. He was now at art school. I was 15. 

At this time, I loved Bill Haley and the Comets, Elvis, Chuck Berry, Eddie Cochran and Buddy Holly.

Then John and I began writing songs together.

research help: ' Beatles Anthology' by the Beatles

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

God Reflections: Hebrews 4

 God Reflections: Hebrews 4 by ric gustafson

There is no book in the world like God's Word. Hebrews 4 says the Word of God is living and active. What will change your life?. Study and meditate on God's Word. God wants us to have a dynamic relationship with him. We need to be in the center of God's will. 

The heart of our thoughts and attitudes is God's Word. God's Word can change our lives. We need to spend time reading God's Word each day. God wants us to feel his presence. 

God loves us more than anything else.

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

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

Salome page 2

 Salome page 2 by ric gustafson

I sat in a sprawling carob tree. Noy was down below. As I ate carob pods, I watched the busyness of Bethsaida. As I threw a carob pod to Noy, I watched fishermen, craftsmen, farmers and merchants working. This field I was in belonged to Ephraim. He was a prosperous resident of Bethsaida. 

Then I heard a noise. I noticed five boys walking across the field toward me. Leading the group was Ephraim's son Elazar. From the underneath the tree, Noy began barking.

" Shush Noy Shush".

The dog kept barking.

Elazar and the others stopped at the tree. " Take a look Gideon". Elazar frowned. " Something in that tree is bothering that dog".

Gideon looked up the tree. He smiled at Elazar. " Look who I see in your tree?".

Elazar walked over to the tree. He looked up.

Gideon smiled. " It's the girl with the glowing eyes".

research help: ' On Living Stone' by Heather Kaufman

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

Salome page 1

 Salome page 1 by ric gustafson

I listened as Abba pointed at the slab of basalt. He was holding a chisel. " Do you hear this rock of the earth?".

" I hear nothing Abba". I looked around. " Where is Noy?".

Abba walked over and let in the dog. " Now do you hear it Zohar?".

I frowned. " Abba, that is not my real name?".

" I call you Zohar because it means light and brilliance".

I had been really sad since Ima passed 3 years ago. Sickness took her. She filled our home with song. Then it was just Abba and myself.

" Zohar, you should go and say hi to Naysa".

Abba tried to get up. 

I handed him his cane.

I smiled. " Ok Abba I will".

research help: ' On Living Stone' by Heather Kaufman

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric