the Road to Omaha page 4

 the Road to Omaha page 4 by ric gustafson

On Sat June 14 2008 at 10:00 am, Florida State catcher Buster Posey was waiting to be handed another award. Standing next to Buster at the Omaha Chamber of Commerce was Georgia shortstop Gordon Beckham, Arizona third baseman Brett Wallace and Missouri pitcher Aaron Crow.

Buster's numbers for the 2008 season were astounding. He was the season leader in 6 categories. Buster was 1st in batting average, runs batted in and tied for first in homers. Only one other player in 1968 had that kind of season that Posey had been having. Also Posey had just been selected by the San Francisco Giants.

The award Posey was receiving 3 hours before his team was scheduled to play in the first game of the series was the player of the year Dick Howser Trophy.

An hour later, Coach Martin and his FSU team were heading toward Rosenblatt Stadium. They were excited to be playing in the first game of the series against Stanford.

research help: ' The Road to Omaha' by Ryan McGee

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

God Reflections: Philippians 3

 God Reflections: Philippians 3 by ric gustafson

God wants us to conform to the image of his Son. This is according to Romans 8. More to the image of Jesus. And less to wordly recognition. 

God wants his Son to be our end goal. We need to view this world through a gospel lens. Trends do not dictate a faithful service.

Philippians 3 says becoming like him in his death.

God loves us more than anything else.

research help: ' 100 days of strength for men' by Broad Street Publishing

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

God Reflections: Matthew 16

 God Reflections: Matthew 16 by ric gustafson

What does it mean to take up a cross?. Following Jesus gives us great joy and real sacrifice. When we think of sacrifice sometimes we think of the mission field. Or giving away money is a sacrifice. God wants us to sacrifice what he is calling us to do.

That sacrifice could be helping a sick friend. It could be helping out at a soup kitchen. It could be praying with a co worker. Little sacrifices become great rewards.

God loves us more than anything else.

research help: ' 100 days of strength for men' by Broad Street Publishing

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

God Reflections: II Peter 1

 God Reflections: II Peter 1 by ric gustafson

We do things in our life on our own. Good or bad we do them. We do them enough we can't stop doing them. God does not want our life to be like that. 

God will give us warning lights. He will flash them at us. God will say stop don't do that. If we are wise, we will stop. 

We must confess our sins. God is faithful and will forgive our sins. We keep our minds pure. God will honor our obedience. II Peter 1 says in God's strength we supply perseverance and godliness.

The simple truth is that God loves us more than anything else.

research help: ' Encouragement for Life' by Charles R Swindoll

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

God Reflections: Psalm 27

 God Reflections: Psalm 27 by ric gustafson

How warm is God's love?. Psalm 27 says the Lord is my light and my salvation. In the warmth of God's love, we fear no one. In God's love, we have security. In God's love, we can have peace, joy and happiness. God is pleased when he is wrapped around us. We can focus on God. That pleases him. 

Psalm 27 also says whom shall I fear?. In God's loving arms we can say nobody.

God loves us more than anything else.

research help: ' Encouragement for Life' by Charles R Swindoll

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

John and Caroline page 11

 John and Caroline page 11 by ric gustafson

John F Kennedy Jr was born in Washington DC on Nov 25 1960. On Nov 10 1960, JFK and his wife Jackie were greeting the world's media. JFK had just defeated Richard Nixon in a razor thin presidential victory. JFK was the first Catholic to be elected President. The media loved taking pictures of the new Presidential couple. 

JFK was 43 with blue eyes and chestnut hair. At 31, Jackie had a square face and brown hair. When JFK Jr was born, he became the youngest child in the White House. In the White House, 3 year old Caroline and 2 month old JFK Jr kept the Presential couple on their toes. 

Jackie's father was a wealthy New York stockbroker. JFK's father Joseph P Kennedy wanted his son Jack to be President.

JFK and Jackie met at a dinner party in 1952.

JFK announced his candidacy to become President in Jan 1960.

research help: ' America's Reluctant Prince' by Steven M Gillon

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

God Reflections: Isaiah 30

 God Reflections: Isaiah 30 by ric gustafson

God is always there. The hand of God is always upon us. God is there. He is not silent. Isaiah 30 says in quietness and confidence shall be your strength. No matter what happens in our life, we can be reassured that nothing is out of control. 

Even though we are in the hand of God, our life will still have struggles. There is no guarantee we will be prosperous, healthy or free from pain. God does promise that he will always care for us and protect us. God cares for us deeply. He always has. He always will.

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

research help: ' Encouragement for Life' by Charles R Swindoll

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric