God Reflections: Hebrews 10

 God Reflections: Hebrews 10 by ric gustafson

Our culture today is about individualism and self sufficiency. A world view has it's strength. We don't want to act needy. Society has been taken up by pride. And also foolishness. It all ends with spiritual, social, emotional and relational failure. 

God created us for community. God created us for friendship. We were designed to need others. We need the wisdom, guidance and encouragement of other believers. 

Others need our love. We need the love of others. 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

God Reflections: Psalm 147

 God Reflections: Psalm 147 by ric gustafson

God is the great Physician. God can heal and repair you. God can heal you socially, physically and spiritually. God can restore our hearts. He can restore our emotional damage. 

No matter what happens in our lives, there is always hope. There is always the possibility of recovery. Healing is possible. Forgiveness is possible. God causes all things to work for our good. Heartbreak can and will grow us.

Bad habits can clog our spiritual lives. God can cut out the bad habits in our hearts. He can and he will.

research help: ' Mini Devotions to refresh your heart' by Christian Art Publishers

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

God Reflections: John 11

 God Reflections: John 11 by ric gustafson

Women cry 30 to 60 times a year. Men cry 5 to 15 times per year. Wether you are a male or female, you are an emotional being. John 11 says Jesus wept. We were created in the image of an emotional God. 

Jesus loved people. Jesus loves us. We need to be emotionally available. It will cost us courage and vulnerability. It will cost us tears. Tears can soften a hard heart.

Jesus 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

God Reflections: Psalm 56

 God Reflections: Psalm 56 by ric gustafson

Jesus wept at the graveside of his friend according to John 11. Jesus is a victorious God, Master and Creator. Jesus is unafraid and unlimited. But Jesus was also a person like you and me. Jesus was moved by sadness and other's distress. 

Because Jesus felt physical and emotional pain, he knows our pain. Jesus knows our tears and our cries. Jesus loves us. When we get home to heaven, Jesus will be waiting for us. He will hug us with his nail pierced hands. Jesus will count and then wipe away our tears.

Jesus 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

God's Reflections: Psalm 30

 God Reflections: Psalm 30 by ric gustafson

When we feel helpless, sometimes frustration and anger comes out. We get trapped in traffic, we are in the middle of unresolved family relations or we have a financial downturn. It is easy to feel powerless. 

Jesus died and rose again. 

He promised us that he would not leave us alone. According to John 14, Jesus sent us an Advocate, a Helper and a Comforter. It is the Holy Spirit. 

Jesus wants us to call out for him. He will give us help, hope and comfort. 

Why?. Because Jesus 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

God Reflections: Ecclesiastes 9

God Reflections: Ecclesiastes 9 by ric gustafson

Every child wants the approval of their parents. Even as adults, we long for acceptance. We think that God is disappointed with us. We are worried that God is bothered by our actions and let down by our choices. 

The truth is God cares for us more than we think. God cares about our heart more than rules. God is pleased by us. Not the other way around.

As a Christian, we need to honor God with our actions. Our actions do not validate our salvation. It is comforting to know that God has a constant approval of you. God will always accept you.

God loves you more than anything else.

research help: ' When God thinks of you he smiles' by Broad Street Publishing

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

John and Caroline page 9

 John and Caroline page 9 by ric gustafson

In March 1991, Senator Edward Moore Kennedy was spending time at the family's Palm Beach estate. He looked horrible. Overweight in an ivory golf shirt and matching shorts. A tumbler of scotch in his hand. His eyes were red. His face was paunchy. He looked terrible.

In March of 1991, Senator Ted Kennedy was 59. He had been a Senator for about 30 years. When Jack Kennedy became President, Ted took over his brother's Senate seat.

As Senator, Ted Kennedy sponsored hundreds of bills. He was also a surrogate father to Jack's and Bobby's children. 

Ted Kennedy married Virginia Joan Bennett in 1958. Son Teddy Jr went to the University of Connecticut School of Law. Eventually, he dealt in litigation and disability issues. Daughter Kara married real estate developer Michael Allen. Ted's youngest son Patrick went into politics. At age 27, Patrick Kennedy became the youngest member of Congress.

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

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric