a carwash christian life page 6 by ric gustafson
Isaiah 40:31- ' Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength'.
The car is now at the end of the track and the carwash. At this point, you need to put the car into drive and put your feet on the pedals. You will see a sign on your left. This sign shows a red light which means don't go or a green light which means go. As I wait for the sign to turn green, I begin to wonder if the christian life is like this sign.
At times, the christian life is fast and furious. But sometimes God wants us to stop, reflect and listen. Sometimes God asks us to do something for him which is outside of our comfort zone. Do we step on the pedal on green and say yes or do we hesitate and get the red light and we have to stop and wait.
My prayer is that we will always say yes, step on the pedal and then the light will be green.
The End- dedicated to Tom E
Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric
Monday, September 30, 2013
through the eyes of a child revision page 4
through the eyes of a child revision page 4 by ric gustafson
Kelly panted as she sat down on the hard wooden bench. She had to rest for a moment. She had jogged around this trail many times and knew this was the half way point. As she tried to catch her breath, she watched other joggers go by. The trail was popular with joggers, bike riders and those wanting to just take a walk.
As her breath returned, she noticed a plain white van approach the nearby curb. A short pudgy man who wore heavy glasses got out and crossed the driveway toward her.
" Hello Miss".
She did not recognize him. " What can I do for you?".
He grinned. " Are you a student at the college?".
" I am".
" Great". He pointed toward the van. " I was wondering if you would come to the back of the van and give me an opinion on my new college license plates".
She hesitated. She was told by her parents many times to stay away from strangers. He looked honest enough. " Ok". She walked with him to the back of the van.
" You'll need to bend down to see it good".
As she bent down, she felt something hit the back of her head. The impact made her see stars. She began to lose consciousness and the last thing she remembered was the back door of the van opening.
As he hurridly put her in the van, the wind picked up and a business card came out of one of his shirt pockets. As he quickly closed the back van doors, the business card flew onto the jogging trail.
Kelly panted as she sat down on the hard wooden bench. She had to rest for a moment. She had jogged around this trail many times and knew this was the half way point. As she tried to catch her breath, she watched other joggers go by. The trail was popular with joggers, bike riders and those wanting to just take a walk.
As her breath returned, she noticed a plain white van approach the nearby curb. A short pudgy man who wore heavy glasses got out and crossed the driveway toward her.
" Hello Miss".
She did not recognize him. " What can I do for you?".
He grinned. " Are you a student at the college?".
" I am".
" Great". He pointed toward the van. " I was wondering if you would come to the back of the van and give me an opinion on my new college license plates".
She hesitated. She was told by her parents many times to stay away from strangers. He looked honest enough. " Ok". She walked with him to the back of the van.
" You'll need to bend down to see it good".
As she bent down, she felt something hit the back of her head. The impact made her see stars. She began to lose consciousness and the last thing she remembered was the back door of the van opening.
As he hurridly put her in the van, the wind picked up and a business card came out of one of his shirt pockets. As he quickly closed the back van doors, the business card flew onto the jogging trail.
Sunday, September 29, 2013
a carwash christian life page 5
a carwash christian life page 5 by ric gustafson
Psalm 51:10-' Create in me a clean heart O God and renew a steadfast spirit within me'.
My car is now in neutral and going down the trough by itself. Water is coming from both sides and is getting the car ready for the next phase. All of a sudden, white foamy suds are washing the front, rear and sides of the car. As the car keeps going, water comes back out and washes the suds away. As the car keeps moving, a large vent begins to dry off the car.
As the car became dry, I began to ponder. As my life gets washed inside and out, am I spot free or not?. The God we love is a jealous God and wants 100 percent of our hearts at all times. Am I giving God 100 percent or not?. The sinful part of my heart says I'm still keeping part of it for myself. God washes us and wants us to be 100 percent spot free.
After the car is dried, the exit is near.
Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric
Psalm 51:10-' Create in me a clean heart O God and renew a steadfast spirit within me'.
My car is now in neutral and going down the trough by itself. Water is coming from both sides and is getting the car ready for the next phase. All of a sudden, white foamy suds are washing the front, rear and sides of the car. As the car keeps going, water comes back out and washes the suds away. As the car keeps moving, a large vent begins to dry off the car.
As the car became dry, I began to ponder. As my life gets washed inside and out, am I spot free or not?. The God we love is a jealous God and wants 100 percent of our hearts at all times. Am I giving God 100 percent or not?. The sinful part of my heart says I'm still keeping part of it for myself. God washes us and wants us to be 100 percent spot free.
After the car is dried, the exit is near.
Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric
through the eyes of a child revision page 3
through the eyes of a child revision page 3 by ric gustafson
Kelly put two small burgundy suitcases by the front door.
Her friend and roommate Jessica came out of her room. She noticed the yellow and white jogging outfit she was wearing." I thought you were going to start for home".
" I'm going to go for a quick jog" she replied as she adjusted her red ball cap. " Then I'll shower and head for home".
Jessica walked over and gave her friend a hug. " I need to go to the library to study for my final exam". She smiled and then picked up her blue backpack. " Enjoy your summer and tell your parents hello". She opened the door and walked out.
Kelly glanced at the clock on the kitchen counter. ' 8:00, just enough time for a quick jog' she thought.
She smiled to herself as she walked into the small bathroom and turned on the light. Peace came into her heart as she turned on the water to brush her teeth. She was looking forward to seeing her parents.
Kelly put two small burgundy suitcases by the front door.
Her friend and roommate Jessica came out of her room. She noticed the yellow and white jogging outfit she was wearing." I thought you were going to start for home".
" I'm going to go for a quick jog" she replied as she adjusted her red ball cap. " Then I'll shower and head for home".
Jessica walked over and gave her friend a hug. " I need to go to the library to study for my final exam". She smiled and then picked up her blue backpack. " Enjoy your summer and tell your parents hello". She opened the door and walked out.
Kelly glanced at the clock on the kitchen counter. ' 8:00, just enough time for a quick jog' she thought.
She smiled to herself as she walked into the small bathroom and turned on the light. Peace came into her heart as she turned on the water to brush her teeth. She was looking forward to seeing her parents.
Saturday, September 28, 2013
through the eyes of a child revision page 2
through the eyes of a child revision page 2 by ric gustafson
Vinnie Deegan opened his eyes as he heard the doorbell. He had fallen asleep as he was watching the football game. " Get down Rodger Dodger" he said to the white cat who was resting on his lap. The cat jumped off and he got up and put on some worn black slippers. He walked over and opened the door a crack. " Yes".
" I saw your ad in the van section of the newspaper" replied a short pudgy man who wore glasses. " The ad was about a white van for sale".
" Oh yes". He pointed toward a closed garage. " I will come out and show it to you".
Vinnie put on his tennis shoes and his brown summer coat. He opened the door and then began to walk toward the garage. He took a key from his key ring and opened the door. It revealed a small white van with no markings. " As you can see it is not a very large van". The two of them began to walk around it and study it. " Why do you need it for?".
The man grinned as he took a wallet out of his back pocket. " I'm going to use it for a delivery service that I am going to start". He smiled at Vinnie. " I'll take the van and I would like to pay cash for it".
After the sale was finalized, the walked toward the end of the garage. The stranger grinned as he noticed something in a corner of the cluttered garage. " Are you going to use that pile of rope?".
Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric
Vinnie Deegan opened his eyes as he heard the doorbell. He had fallen asleep as he was watching the football game. " Get down Rodger Dodger" he said to the white cat who was resting on his lap. The cat jumped off and he got up and put on some worn black slippers. He walked over and opened the door a crack. " Yes".
" I saw your ad in the van section of the newspaper" replied a short pudgy man who wore glasses. " The ad was about a white van for sale".
" Oh yes". He pointed toward a closed garage. " I will come out and show it to you".
Vinnie put on his tennis shoes and his brown summer coat. He opened the door and then began to walk toward the garage. He took a key from his key ring and opened the door. It revealed a small white van with no markings. " As you can see it is not a very large van". The two of them began to walk around it and study it. " Why do you need it for?".
The man grinned as he took a wallet out of his back pocket. " I'm going to use it for a delivery service that I am going to start". He smiled at Vinnie. " I'll take the van and I would like to pay cash for it".
After the sale was finalized, the walked toward the end of the garage. The stranger grinned as he noticed something in a corner of the cluttered garage. " Are you going to use that pile of rope?".
Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric
Friday, September 27, 2013
Titanic 2013: Shipbuilders
Titanic 2013: Shipbuilders by ric gustafson
The designer of Titanic was Thomas Andrews. In 1889 at the age of sixteen, he began to train at his uncle's shipyard. He began in the joiner's shop, the main store and the molding loft. He completed his Harland and Wolff apprenticeship in the drawing room. In 1905 at age thirty two, he became Chief of the Design Department. In 1907, he became the Managing Director. In 1905, the liner Amerika designed by Andrews was launched in Belfast. At 22, 225 tons, it was the largest ship ever until Cunard launched the Mauretania two years later. The ship had nine decks and could reach 24 and a half knots. To best Cunard, White Star commissioned three ships the Olympic, Titanic and Britannic.
On March 31 1909, Keel 401 was laid for the Titanic. The shipyard had 11,389 workers which was double from the year before. To better the Olympic, some of the deck space on Titanic was allotted for more cabins. This gave the ship around 163 more passengers. Harland and Wolff made plans for three possible hazards. The first was that it might run aground. They gave Titanic a double bottom to prevent this. The second was that it might collide with another ship. The third was that another ship might hit it. To counter the last two hazards, the liner was fitted with fifteen bulkheads that divided the hull into sixteen watertight compartments. These bulkheads had watertight doors that could be shut with a switch.
Andrews designed the compartments so that if the bow of the liner were smashed in an accident, the ship could stay afloat as long as no more than four of its compartments were flooded. Because of the bulkheads cost, they did not reach higher than D Deck fore and aft and E Deck amidship.
Titanic was certified to carry 3,547 passengers and crew but only had lifeboat capacity for 1,178. The huge liner only had fourteen wooden lifeboats with a capacity of 65, four boats with collapsible canvas sides which could hold 47 passengers. Why was their so few lifeboats for the number of passengers?. One theory is that the ship designers and shipowners wanted more space for suites, promenade decks and other amenities. The Board of Trade had lifeboat regulations that stated sixteen lifeboats per ship exceeding 10,000 tons. Titanic met that regulation.
Andrews wanted Titanic to be the most luxurious and largest ship in the world. First class passengers were served over five decks, two grand staircases, three electric elevators and sundry stairways. Nothing was spared for the first class. There were vast public rooms, wide corridors and broad stairs and landing. There was a dining saloon, lounge, reading and writing room, library, veranda café, barber shop and quarters for their pets. The ship had the first swimming pool to be on a liner. The first class dining saloon could hold 532 diners and was huge running 92 feet by 114 feet. Even the reception area extended the length of the liner.
As you can see, Thomas Andrews spared no expense.
research help: ' Voyagers of the Titanic' by Richard Davenport-Hines
Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric
The designer of Titanic was Thomas Andrews. In 1889 at the age of sixteen, he began to train at his uncle's shipyard. He began in the joiner's shop, the main store and the molding loft. He completed his Harland and Wolff apprenticeship in the drawing room. In 1905 at age thirty two, he became Chief of the Design Department. In 1907, he became the Managing Director. In 1905, the liner Amerika designed by Andrews was launched in Belfast. At 22, 225 tons, it was the largest ship ever until Cunard launched the Mauretania two years later. The ship had nine decks and could reach 24 and a half knots. To best Cunard, White Star commissioned three ships the Olympic, Titanic and Britannic.
On March 31 1909, Keel 401 was laid for the Titanic. The shipyard had 11,389 workers which was double from the year before. To better the Olympic, some of the deck space on Titanic was allotted for more cabins. This gave the ship around 163 more passengers. Harland and Wolff made plans for three possible hazards. The first was that it might run aground. They gave Titanic a double bottom to prevent this. The second was that it might collide with another ship. The third was that another ship might hit it. To counter the last two hazards, the liner was fitted with fifteen bulkheads that divided the hull into sixteen watertight compartments. These bulkheads had watertight doors that could be shut with a switch.
Andrews designed the compartments so that if the bow of the liner were smashed in an accident, the ship could stay afloat as long as no more than four of its compartments were flooded. Because of the bulkheads cost, they did not reach higher than D Deck fore and aft and E Deck amidship.
Titanic was certified to carry 3,547 passengers and crew but only had lifeboat capacity for 1,178. The huge liner only had fourteen wooden lifeboats with a capacity of 65, four boats with collapsible canvas sides which could hold 47 passengers. Why was their so few lifeboats for the number of passengers?. One theory is that the ship designers and shipowners wanted more space for suites, promenade decks and other amenities. The Board of Trade had lifeboat regulations that stated sixteen lifeboats per ship exceeding 10,000 tons. Titanic met that regulation.
Andrews wanted Titanic to be the most luxurious and largest ship in the world. First class passengers were served over five decks, two grand staircases, three electric elevators and sundry stairways. Nothing was spared for the first class. There were vast public rooms, wide corridors and broad stairs and landing. There was a dining saloon, lounge, reading and writing room, library, veranda café, barber shop and quarters for their pets. The ship had the first swimming pool to be on a liner. The first class dining saloon could hold 532 diners and was huge running 92 feet by 114 feet. Even the reception area extended the length of the liner.
As you can see, Thomas Andrews spared no expense.
research help: ' Voyagers of the Titanic' by Richard Davenport-Hines
Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric
through the eyes of a child revision page 1
through the eyes of a child revision page 1 by ric gustafson
Kelly held tightly unto her father's hand as they slowly walked through the green summer grass.
" There's the stand with the cool dessert" she said with a squeal.
" Oh yes, the funnel cakes". Charles Brown gave his young daughter a big smile as he adjusted his baseball cap. " Later on I think we can have one".
" Yea" she exclaimed as she clapped her small hands in joy. " I love the powered sugar that's on top".
Charles grinned with happiness that he had brought his daughter for an afternoon of fun at the county fair. He did not spend as much time with her as he wished. His job as CEO of an investment firm kept him for long hours away from his family. After three hours of riding the Black Spider, playing skee ball and every carnival game he could imagine, Charles's fair tickets were just about gone.
" Before we get a funnel cake" he said as he looked with love at his seven year old daughter. " I have enough tickets for one more ride".
" The bumper cars Daddy". She screamed with joy as she ran toward the tent next door.
They quickly got into the line. Kelly got into a car upfront and Charles got into one toward the back.
A ride worker walked over and said something to Charles. He got out of the car and walked over to the entrance.
The ride started. As cars banged into each other, Kelly could not see her father. " Daddy, where are you" she yelled as cars banged into hers. When the ride stopped, a crying Kelly saw her father at the entrance. She ran into his open arms. " Daddy, where were you?".
" Sweetheart, I could not ride the car so I was standing here watching you the whole time".
She wiped tears from her young face. " Daddy, promise me you will never leave me".
" I promise". Charles put his loving arms around his daughter and tightly embraced her.
Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric
Kelly held tightly unto her father's hand as they slowly walked through the green summer grass.
" There's the stand with the cool dessert" she said with a squeal.
" Oh yes, the funnel cakes". Charles Brown gave his young daughter a big smile as he adjusted his baseball cap. " Later on I think we can have one".
" Yea" she exclaimed as she clapped her small hands in joy. " I love the powered sugar that's on top".
Charles grinned with happiness that he had brought his daughter for an afternoon of fun at the county fair. He did not spend as much time with her as he wished. His job as CEO of an investment firm kept him for long hours away from his family. After three hours of riding the Black Spider, playing skee ball and every carnival game he could imagine, Charles's fair tickets were just about gone.
" Before we get a funnel cake" he said as he looked with love at his seven year old daughter. " I have enough tickets for one more ride".
" The bumper cars Daddy". She screamed with joy as she ran toward the tent next door.
They quickly got into the line. Kelly got into a car upfront and Charles got into one toward the back.
A ride worker walked over and said something to Charles. He got out of the car and walked over to the entrance.
The ride started. As cars banged into each other, Kelly could not see her father. " Daddy, where are you" she yelled as cars banged into hers. When the ride stopped, a crying Kelly saw her father at the entrance. She ran into his open arms. " Daddy, where were you?".
" Sweetheart, I could not ride the car so I was standing here watching you the whole time".
She wiped tears from her young face. " Daddy, promise me you will never leave me".
" I promise". Charles put his loving arms around his daughter and tightly embraced her.
Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric
Thursday, September 26, 2013
a carwash christian life page 4
a carwash christian life page 4 by ric gustafson
John 14:1- ' Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in me'.
After you put in your code number and hit the enter button, you can proceed with the carwash. Immediately, you will see a sign telling you to do some things. First, it will tell you to put the car into neutral. This means that you need to take your feet off of the pedals and let the track move the car. My first thought was ' no I can't'.
I believe the christian life is a constant struggle between our will and God's will. Our sinful will wants us to have our feet constantly on the pedals to show that we are in control.
That is not what God wishes for our life. God wants us to take our feet off of the pedals and let him be in control of our lives. God wants his will to drive our lives. It feels uncomfortable to not be in control of our life. Jesus says believe in me and not be afraid.
Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric
John 14:1- ' Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in me'.
After you put in your code number and hit the enter button, you can proceed with the carwash. Immediately, you will see a sign telling you to do some things. First, it will tell you to put the car into neutral. This means that you need to take your feet off of the pedals and let the track move the car. My first thought was ' no I can't'.
I believe the christian life is a constant struggle between our will and God's will. Our sinful will wants us to have our feet constantly on the pedals to show that we are in control.
That is not what God wishes for our life. God wants us to take our feet off of the pedals and let him be in control of our lives. God wants his will to drive our lives. It feels uncomfortable to not be in control of our life. Jesus says believe in me and not be afraid.
Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric
Titanic 2013: Shipowners
Titanic 2013: Shipowners by ric gustafson
Soon after June 1907, Bruce Ismay chairman of the White Star Line proposed building three liners that would be the best in luxury ever built. This was in response to the rise of the Cunard Line which was the dominant power in the North Atlantic. Cunard built the Lusitania, Mauretania and Aquitania in 1907 to 1914.
Ismay wanted to build an Olympic class of liners and call them Olympic, Titanic and the Britannic. He told his idea to Lord Pirrie who was head of the Belfast shipyard Harland and Wolff. Ismay invisioned Titanic to be the best in shipbuilding.
The Oceanic was built at 3,078 tons and made it the largest built to that time. It was capable of 14 knots and it was able to cross the Atlantic in eight to ten days. It had 130 crew members and could carry 1200 passengers. In 1870, this ship set new standards for size and comfort. White Star built larger first class cabins and baths with running water. White Star put the first class cabins midship which made passengers happy. Other ships built for White Star before Titanic included the Adriatic, Britannic, Germanic, Arabic, Coptic, Ionic and the Doric. In 1887, two new liners were built for White Star called the Teutonic and the Majestic.
In 1892, Bruce Ismay became Managing Director of the White Star Line. He became Director after the death of his father Thomas Ismay in 1899. Ismay was showy and had a temper. He stood six feet tall and was an avid sportsman. He was a self made millionaire and commanded high prestige.
Lord Pirrie was a small man with high confidence and intrepid nerves. He seldom read anything except business papers and newspapers. Pirrie lost his father at age two and that forged the personality that he had. He became a partner in Harland and Wolff at age twenty seven and became chairman after 1906.
Pierpont Morgan became a ruler of Wall Street after saving the US Treasury from defaulting in 1895. He was key in the creation of US Steel. He agreed to finance a merger involving Atlantic Transport Company to build six new ships and the sale of stock. Morgan wanted to buy the Cunard Line but was refused. In 1902, Morgan bought White Star Line. Ismay stayed as Director but had to move to New York.
research help: ' Voyagers of the Titanic' by Richard Davenport-Hines
Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric
Soon after June 1907, Bruce Ismay chairman of the White Star Line proposed building three liners that would be the best in luxury ever built. This was in response to the rise of the Cunard Line which was the dominant power in the North Atlantic. Cunard built the Lusitania, Mauretania and Aquitania in 1907 to 1914.
Ismay wanted to build an Olympic class of liners and call them Olympic, Titanic and the Britannic. He told his idea to Lord Pirrie who was head of the Belfast shipyard Harland and Wolff. Ismay invisioned Titanic to be the best in shipbuilding.
The Oceanic was built at 3,078 tons and made it the largest built to that time. It was capable of 14 knots and it was able to cross the Atlantic in eight to ten days. It had 130 crew members and could carry 1200 passengers. In 1870, this ship set new standards for size and comfort. White Star built larger first class cabins and baths with running water. White Star put the first class cabins midship which made passengers happy. Other ships built for White Star before Titanic included the Adriatic, Britannic, Germanic, Arabic, Coptic, Ionic and the Doric. In 1887, two new liners were built for White Star called the Teutonic and the Majestic.
In 1892, Bruce Ismay became Managing Director of the White Star Line. He became Director after the death of his father Thomas Ismay in 1899. Ismay was showy and had a temper. He stood six feet tall and was an avid sportsman. He was a self made millionaire and commanded high prestige.
Lord Pirrie was a small man with high confidence and intrepid nerves. He seldom read anything except business papers and newspapers. Pirrie lost his father at age two and that forged the personality that he had. He became a partner in Harland and Wolff at age twenty seven and became chairman after 1906.
Pierpont Morgan became a ruler of Wall Street after saving the US Treasury from defaulting in 1895. He was key in the creation of US Steel. He agreed to finance a merger involving Atlantic Transport Company to build six new ships and the sale of stock. Morgan wanted to buy the Cunard Line but was refused. In 1902, Morgan bought White Star Line. Ismay stayed as Director but had to move to New York.
research help: ' Voyagers of the Titanic' by Richard Davenport-Hines
Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
Titanic 2013: Jakobshavn Glacier
Titanic 2013: Jakobshavn Glacier by ric gustafson
It did not seem like an important moment in history. A block of ice possibly came off the Jakodshavn Glacier and crashed down into a fjord with a mighty roar. This famous glacier has been the source of most of the world's largest icebergs. This glacier was the fastest moving in the world at the rate of sixty feet a day. After densely compacted snow wrenches away from the glacier and splits, it eventually settles into balance.
The Arctic winter of 1911 and 1912 was very mild. Icebergs that broke away from the glacier were larger than usual. In April 1912, there was more ice than usual floating in the Atlantic. The icebergs were farther south than usual also. Over a thousand icebergs had drifted to the Grand Banks off Newfoundland. As the Labrador Current sent icebergs south, a sheet of pack ice came with them.
In mild weather, icebergs split apart creating large lumps of ice called growlers. In April of 1912, large icebergs were moving at a rate of twenty five miles a day toward the shipping lanes of the North Atlantic.
research help: ' Voyagers of the Titanic' by Richard Davenport- Hines
Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric
It did not seem like an important moment in history. A block of ice possibly came off the Jakodshavn Glacier and crashed down into a fjord with a mighty roar. This famous glacier has been the source of most of the world's largest icebergs. This glacier was the fastest moving in the world at the rate of sixty feet a day. After densely compacted snow wrenches away from the glacier and splits, it eventually settles into balance.
The Arctic winter of 1911 and 1912 was very mild. Icebergs that broke away from the glacier were larger than usual. In April 1912, there was more ice than usual floating in the Atlantic. The icebergs were farther south than usual also. Over a thousand icebergs had drifted to the Grand Banks off Newfoundland. As the Labrador Current sent icebergs south, a sheet of pack ice came with them.
In mild weather, icebergs split apart creating large lumps of ice called growlers. In April of 1912, large icebergs were moving at a rate of twenty five miles a day toward the shipping lanes of the North Atlantic.
research help: ' Voyagers of the Titanic' by Richard Davenport- Hines
Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric
Line 1 2013 page 5
Line 1 2013 page 5 by ric gustafson
Jesse fingered his bible. " Job loved God".
The voice cackled. " That pathetic little man".
" There is an entire book in the bible written about him".
" Jesse, do your listeners really want to know about him?".
" I'm sure they would".
The voice hesitated. " First of all, I have an army of spirits who inform me of everything going on with you two legged pathetic beings".
" Demons".
" Yes, and usually they report to me that someone is worshipping me instead of your stupid God".
" Not everyone".
" When I hear that someone is following your moronic God, then I return to my former home".
" Heaven".
The voice cackled. " That is what you call it".
" Why do you have to go there if you hate God?".
" Sometimes I am summoned by your stupid God to give an account of my activities".
" And what do you tell God?".
" I inform him that it is my intention to destroy all two legged humans who love and serve him".
" And that's why Job came into the picture".
" Yes".
research help: ' Interview with the Devil' by Russell Wight
Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric
Jesse fingered his bible. " Job loved God".
The voice cackled. " That pathetic little man".
" There is an entire book in the bible written about him".
" Jesse, do your listeners really want to know about him?".
" I'm sure they would".
The voice hesitated. " First of all, I have an army of spirits who inform me of everything going on with you two legged pathetic beings".
" Demons".
" Yes, and usually they report to me that someone is worshipping me instead of your stupid God".
" Not everyone".
" When I hear that someone is following your moronic God, then I return to my former home".
" Heaven".
The voice cackled. " That is what you call it".
" Why do you have to go there if you hate God?".
" Sometimes I am summoned by your stupid God to give an account of my activities".
" And what do you tell God?".
" I inform him that it is my intention to destroy all two legged humans who love and serve him".
" And that's why Job came into the picture".
" Yes".
research help: ' Interview with the Devil' by Russell Wight
Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric
a carwash christian life page 3
a carwash christian life page 3 by ric gustafson
Revelation 3:20- ' Behold I stand at the door and knock, if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in'.
The light turns green and the entrance door opens. I slowly drive in and put the left side tires into a trough. I stop the car next to a machine and then realize that I cannot go any farther. When you pay for your gas and your carwash, you are given a receipt. On this receipt are a series of numbers. You need to key this series of numbers into the machine in order to proceed.
I began to ponder the thought that this machine is like the crossroads in everyone's life. There will be a day when your life will pause and a choice has to be made. Everyone will have two choices and your choice will have eternal consequences.
God will quietly knock on the door to your heart and like the machine, a choice will have to be made. Will you say no and then you will have to back out of the carwash and leave. Or will you say yes and then God, the Son and the Holy Spirit will come in and dwell in you forever.
If you do say yes to God's knock and put the numbers into the machine, you can proceed with the carwash and then be made clean.
Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric
Revelation 3:20- ' Behold I stand at the door and knock, if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in'.
The light turns green and the entrance door opens. I slowly drive in and put the left side tires into a trough. I stop the car next to a machine and then realize that I cannot go any farther. When you pay for your gas and your carwash, you are given a receipt. On this receipt are a series of numbers. You need to key this series of numbers into the machine in order to proceed.
I began to ponder the thought that this machine is like the crossroads in everyone's life. There will be a day when your life will pause and a choice has to be made. Everyone will have two choices and your choice will have eternal consequences.
God will quietly knock on the door to your heart and like the machine, a choice will have to be made. Will you say no and then you will have to back out of the carwash and leave. Or will you say yes and then God, the Son and the Holy Spirit will come in and dwell in you forever.
If you do say yes to God's knock and put the numbers into the machine, you can proceed with the carwash and then be made clean.
Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric
Monday, September 23, 2013
a carwash christian life page 2
a carwash christian life page 2 by ric gustafson
Psalm 25:5-' In you I wait all the day'.
I'm still waiting for that little light to turn green and the door to open. I began to think to myself if I ask the right way when I pray. I wondered if I ask in a sincere and truthful manner from the heart. Or do I ask only thinking about myself and my sinful desires.
I believe that if I pray with a truthful and open heart that the red light will turn to green and that door will open. I also know that if my heart hardens, that light will turn to red and that door will close again.
I believe that God wants us to pray and ask him with a sincere and open heart. When we do, that light will turn to green and the door will open. Then we will be able to continue our carwash and wash our souls.
Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric
Psalm 25:5-' In you I wait all the day'.
I'm still waiting for that little light to turn green and the door to open. I began to think to myself if I ask the right way when I pray. I wondered if I ask in a sincere and truthful manner from the heart. Or do I ask only thinking about myself and my sinful desires.
I believe that if I pray with a truthful and open heart that the red light will turn to green and that door will open. I also know that if my heart hardens, that light will turn to red and that door will close again.
I believe that God wants us to pray and ask him with a sincere and open heart. When we do, that light will turn to green and the door will open. Then we will be able to continue our carwash and wash our souls.
Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric
Sunday, September 22, 2013
Line 1 2013 page 4
Line 1 2013 page 4 by ric gustafson
The voice cackled. " Jesse, would you mind if I talk about Eden first?".
" Sure".
" Your pathetic God formed a man out of mud and stuck him in a perfect garden".
" The Garden of Eden".
" And then guess what your pathetic God did?".
" Formed a woman from the man".
" That is one of the craziest things I have ever heard".
" How did Eve's temptation come about?".
The voice cackled. " Your stupid God told the man he could eat from any tree except for the tree of good and evil.
Jesse palmed his bible. " So how were you able to deceive Eve?".
The voice cackled with glee. " I simply said did your pathetic God really say you must not eat from any tree in the garden".
" So how did she give in to the temptation?".
" I said to her you will certainly not die". The voice hesitated. " For your stupid God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened and you will be like your pathetic God".
" That's why she gave in".
" Jesse, do you know what happened next?".
Jesse took a sip of coffee. " What?".
" They ate, their pathetic eyes opened and then guess what happened?".
" What?".
" They had the stupid nerve to try and hide from their pathetic God".
research help: ' Interview with the Devil' by Russell Wight
Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric
The voice cackled. " Jesse, would you mind if I talk about Eden first?".
" Sure".
" Your pathetic God formed a man out of mud and stuck him in a perfect garden".
" The Garden of Eden".
" And then guess what your pathetic God did?".
" Formed a woman from the man".
" That is one of the craziest things I have ever heard".
" How did Eve's temptation come about?".
The voice cackled. " Your stupid God told the man he could eat from any tree except for the tree of good and evil.
Jesse palmed his bible. " So how were you able to deceive Eve?".
The voice cackled with glee. " I simply said did your pathetic God really say you must not eat from any tree in the garden".
" So how did she give in to the temptation?".
" I said to her you will certainly not die". The voice hesitated. " For your stupid God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened and you will be like your pathetic God".
" That's why she gave in".
" Jesse, do you know what happened next?".
Jesse took a sip of coffee. " What?".
" They ate, their pathetic eyes opened and then guess what happened?".
" What?".
" They had the stupid nerve to try and hide from their pathetic God".
research help: ' Interview with the Devil' by Russell Wight
Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric
a carwash christian life page 1
a carwash christian life page 1 by ric gustafson
John 10:9- ' I am the door; if anyone enters through me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture'.
We drive up to the entrance of the car wash. I notice to the left is a bright red light and that the entrance door is closed. I put the Saturn into park and wait. I begin to wonder when the light is going to turn green and the door will open. As I sat there, I began to wonder. Is the christian life like this carwash. Things seem to be going great and then all of a sudden, the light is red and the door is closed.
Matthew 7:7-' Ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find, knock and it will be opened to you'.
There are times when I think to myself ' I want this and I want it now'. It is the wrong attitude to have. The red light is still on and the carwash door is still closed. God's timing is not our timing and he knows what's best for us. God's will must always be done and not mine. God is in charge of our lives and his timing is always perfect.
Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric
John 10:9- ' I am the door; if anyone enters through me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture'.
We drive up to the entrance of the car wash. I notice to the left is a bright red light and that the entrance door is closed. I put the Saturn into park and wait. I begin to wonder when the light is going to turn green and the door will open. As I sat there, I began to wonder. Is the christian life like this carwash. Things seem to be going great and then all of a sudden, the light is red and the door is closed.
Matthew 7:7-' Ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find, knock and it will be opened to you'.
There are times when I think to myself ' I want this and I want it now'. It is the wrong attitude to have. The red light is still on and the carwash door is still closed. God's timing is not our timing and he knows what's best for us. God's will must always be done and not mine. God is in charge of our lives and his timing is always perfect.
Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric
Saturday, September 21, 2013
Duke page 1
Duke page 1 by ric gustafson
Marion Mitchell Morrison started his life in Winterset Iowa. At the age of four, his family was already calling him ' Duke' after the family dog. He had a younger brother Robert and a feisty mother named Molly. His father Clyde struggled with different jobs and they would divorce in 1930. Because of the divorce, the family was dirt poor eating only saltine crackers and peanut butter for lunch.
In high school, Duke was president of his senior class, played varsity football and was a sportswriter for the school newspaper. He entered USC and was active but did not graduate.
His father Clyde remarried and Duke maintained a close relationship with his stepmother. Duke started hanging around the sets of director John Ford and eventually became an extra on the set of ' Hangman's House'. Duke was used as an extra, stuntman and in tiny speaking roles in seven pictures in 1929 and 1930.
In 1930, director Raoul Walsh gave Duke his first starring role in a picture called ' The Big Trail'. Winfield Sheehan who ran Fox Studios gave Duke the new name of John Wayne. The picture started Wayne's career but was a dud at the box office.
Fox Studio gave Wayne a seventy five dollar a week contract and he joined the ranks of other B movie hopefuls.
research help: ' John Wayne, The Genuine Article' by Michael Goldman
Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric
Marion Mitchell Morrison started his life in Winterset Iowa. At the age of four, his family was already calling him ' Duke' after the family dog. He had a younger brother Robert and a feisty mother named Molly. His father Clyde struggled with different jobs and they would divorce in 1930. Because of the divorce, the family was dirt poor eating only saltine crackers and peanut butter for lunch.
In high school, Duke was president of his senior class, played varsity football and was a sportswriter for the school newspaper. He entered USC and was active but did not graduate.
His father Clyde remarried and Duke maintained a close relationship with his stepmother. Duke started hanging around the sets of director John Ford and eventually became an extra on the set of ' Hangman's House'. Duke was used as an extra, stuntman and in tiny speaking roles in seven pictures in 1929 and 1930.
In 1930, director Raoul Walsh gave Duke his first starring role in a picture called ' The Big Trail'. Winfield Sheehan who ran Fox Studios gave Duke the new name of John Wayne. The picture started Wayne's career but was a dud at the box office.
Fox Studio gave Wayne a seventy five dollar a week contract and he joined the ranks of other B movie hopefuls.
research help: ' John Wayne, The Genuine Article' by Michael Goldman
Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric
Titanic couples: Neal and Eileen McNamee
Titanic couples: Neal and Eileen McNamee by ric gustafson
Neal McNamee's boss, Sir Thomas Lipton created the Lipton tea brand. Neal was born in Convoy near Donegal Ireland. Later in life, he began working for Lipton in Salisbury England. There he met Eileen O Leary and fell in love with her right away. She had dark wavy hair, dark eyes and petite features that attracted him. He proposed to her right away and she accepted. At that time, Neal's boss Sir Thomas Lipton recommended that he become a general manager at his New York store. He accepted and bought third class tickets on the Titanic for their honeymoon.
They were assigned to a two berth cabin and enjoyed their time onboard with other passengers. The third class dining room had individual chairs to sit, stewards serving and plenty of good food including soups, stews, desserts and breads. There was a meeting room where passengers could sit and write and two bars for the male passengers. In the evening, they enjoyed listening some piano playing and Irish dancing in the meeting room.
On the evening of April 14, they were returning to their room when the ship struck an iceberg. It is not known what happened to the couple. No one reported seeing them on deck and there is no record of what happened to them that dreadful night. Eileen's body was recovered and she was wearing a blue flannel petticoat and a white sailor blouse. Neal's body was never found. There is a plaque and bench dedicated to the couple in a Salisbury park.
The End- dedicated to Tom E
research help: ' Titanic Love Stories' by Gill Paul
Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric
Neal McNamee's boss, Sir Thomas Lipton created the Lipton tea brand. Neal was born in Convoy near Donegal Ireland. Later in life, he began working for Lipton in Salisbury England. There he met Eileen O Leary and fell in love with her right away. She had dark wavy hair, dark eyes and petite features that attracted him. He proposed to her right away and she accepted. At that time, Neal's boss Sir Thomas Lipton recommended that he become a general manager at his New York store. He accepted and bought third class tickets on the Titanic for their honeymoon.
They were assigned to a two berth cabin and enjoyed their time onboard with other passengers. The third class dining room had individual chairs to sit, stewards serving and plenty of good food including soups, stews, desserts and breads. There was a meeting room where passengers could sit and write and two bars for the male passengers. In the evening, they enjoyed listening some piano playing and Irish dancing in the meeting room.
On the evening of April 14, they were returning to their room when the ship struck an iceberg. It is not known what happened to the couple. No one reported seeing them on deck and there is no record of what happened to them that dreadful night. Eileen's body was recovered and she was wearing a blue flannel petticoat and a white sailor blouse. Neal's body was never found. There is a plaque and bench dedicated to the couple in a Salisbury park.
The End- dedicated to Tom E
research help: ' Titanic Love Stories' by Gill Paul
Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric
Friday, September 20, 2013
Titanic couples: John and Kate Bourke
Titanic couples: John and Kate Bourke by ric gustafson
Kate McHugh was one of nine children from Tawnagh, a village in County Mayo Ireland. John Bourke was a farmer. Kate moved to Chicago in July of 1905. She went back home in 1910 for a few months. There she started spending time with John Bourke. He was forty one and she was thirty one. They married in January of 1911. They decided to leave Ireland all together and settle into the United States.John bought two third class tickets on the Titanic. They dined in the third class dining room which was on the middle deck. The dining room extended the width of the ship and could sit 470 passengers. They were in bed when the ship struck an iceberg at 11:40 pm on April 14. John knew something had happened and he asked a steward about it. He told them to dress warm and go up to the Boat Dock. When they got there, Kate was put onto Lifeboat 16. When she noticed that John was not going to join her, she left the boat to join him. The last people saw of them, both were holding onto railings and being together.
The bodies of John and Kate were never recovered.
research help: ' Titanic Love Stories' by Gill Paul
Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric
Kate McHugh was one of nine children from Tawnagh, a village in County Mayo Ireland. John Bourke was a farmer. Kate moved to Chicago in July of 1905. She went back home in 1910 for a few months. There she started spending time with John Bourke. He was forty one and she was thirty one. They married in January of 1911. They decided to leave Ireland all together and settle into the United States.John bought two third class tickets on the Titanic. They dined in the third class dining room which was on the middle deck. The dining room extended the width of the ship and could sit 470 passengers. They were in bed when the ship struck an iceberg at 11:40 pm on April 14. John knew something had happened and he asked a steward about it. He told them to dress warm and go up to the Boat Dock. When they got there, Kate was put onto Lifeboat 16. When she noticed that John was not going to join her, she left the boat to join him. The last people saw of them, both were holding onto railings and being together.
The bodies of John and Kate were never recovered.
research help: ' Titanic Love Stories' by Gill Paul
Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric
Thursday, September 19, 2013
Line 1 2013 page 3
Line 1 2013 page 3 by ric gustafson
" Thank you Jesse". The voice hesitated. " First of all, I hate you pathetic God created humans".
Jesse stared at Marci. " I beg your pardon".
" I despise all of you and the God who created you".
Jesse took a sip of coffee. " Why?".
" Because I strive to make your pathetic lives miserable in hope that you will ignore God and spend all of eternity with me".
Jesse touched his bible. " Father of lives, I am happy to say that I am a follower of Jesus".
" Happy". The voice loudly cackled. " Give me a break".
" I am".
" I don't know why".
" Because I have peace in my heart".
" Peace". The voice cackled again. " I fill your days and nights with temptations and like idiots you fall for them all the time".
" I pray and repent of all of my sins that I commit".
" Pray". The voice cackled louder. " Prayer is just a stupid ritual that was started by your pathetic God".
" I pray and read my bible every day".
" Like a roaring lion, I want to devour you and try to keep you away from that stupid book called a bible".
" I have read that you were once a beautiful and respected angel".
The voice got quiet. " That's true, my name was once Lucifer".
" And now your name means adversary".
" Yes, I am God's adversary and proud of it".
A thought came to Jesse. " Can you explain to my audience your great fall?".
" Sure".
research help: ' Interview with the Devil' by Russell Wight
Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric
" Thank you Jesse". The voice hesitated. " First of all, I hate you pathetic God created humans".
Jesse stared at Marci. " I beg your pardon".
" I despise all of you and the God who created you".
Jesse took a sip of coffee. " Why?".
" Because I strive to make your pathetic lives miserable in hope that you will ignore God and spend all of eternity with me".
Jesse touched his bible. " Father of lives, I am happy to say that I am a follower of Jesus".
" Happy". The voice loudly cackled. " Give me a break".
" I am".
" I don't know why".
" Because I have peace in my heart".
" Peace". The voice cackled again. " I fill your days and nights with temptations and like idiots you fall for them all the time".
" I pray and repent of all of my sins that I commit".
" Pray". The voice cackled louder. " Prayer is just a stupid ritual that was started by your pathetic God".
" I pray and read my bible every day".
" Like a roaring lion, I want to devour you and try to keep you away from that stupid book called a bible".
" I have read that you were once a beautiful and respected angel".
The voice got quiet. " That's true, my name was once Lucifer".
" And now your name means adversary".
" Yes, I am God's adversary and proud of it".
A thought came to Jesse. " Can you explain to my audience your great fall?".
" Sure".
research help: ' Interview with the Devil' by Russell Wight
Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
Titanic couples: John and Lizzie Chapman
Titanic couples: John and Lizzie Chapman by ric gustafson
John Chapman lived near Cornwall England. John's father was a tenant farmer with five children with John being the youngest. In the winter of 1911, he married Lizzie Lawry. She was twenty eight and he was thirty six. Their plan was to go to the United States and join Lizzie's brother William in Wisconsin. John booked a second class ticket on the Titanic for her maiden voyage. For their honeymoon, they would sail across to New York, catch a train to Chicago and there to Wisconsin.
Their second class room onboard was small with two berths, a couch and a mirrored washstand. The second class dining room was seventy feet long and stretched the full length of the ship. It was decorated in 17th century with carved oak panels and a raised platform for a piano.
After dinner on Sunday April 14, they joined the hymn sing. They were both in bed when they felt a jolt. John went out to the corridor and heard a steward instructing people to put on their life vests and to come up to the Boat Deck. Lizzie was helped into Lifeboat 4 and noticed that John was kept from getting in. She wanted to stay with John so she got back out. At 1:55 am, the ship was listing badly so they hung onto railings and walls. They could hear the band playing and water coming up the stairwell. Around 2:15, they held hands and then jumped. John Chapman's body was one of the first to be picked up by the Mackay-Bennett. He was still clutching Lizzie's purse and still had his watch on. Lizzie's body was never found.
Their marriage only lasted fifteen weeks.
research help: ' Titanic Love Stories' by Gill Paul
Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric
John Chapman lived near Cornwall England. John's father was a tenant farmer with five children with John being the youngest. In the winter of 1911, he married Lizzie Lawry. She was twenty eight and he was thirty six. Their plan was to go to the United States and join Lizzie's brother William in Wisconsin. John booked a second class ticket on the Titanic for her maiden voyage. For their honeymoon, they would sail across to New York, catch a train to Chicago and there to Wisconsin.
Their second class room onboard was small with two berths, a couch and a mirrored washstand. The second class dining room was seventy feet long and stretched the full length of the ship. It was decorated in 17th century with carved oak panels and a raised platform for a piano.
After dinner on Sunday April 14, they joined the hymn sing. They were both in bed when they felt a jolt. John went out to the corridor and heard a steward instructing people to put on their life vests and to come up to the Boat Deck. Lizzie was helped into Lifeboat 4 and noticed that John was kept from getting in. She wanted to stay with John so she got back out. At 1:55 am, the ship was listing badly so they hung onto railings and walls. They could hear the band playing and water coming up the stairwell. Around 2:15, they held hands and then jumped. John Chapman's body was one of the first to be picked up by the Mackay-Bennett. He was still clutching Lizzie's purse and still had his watch on. Lizzie's body was never found.
Their marriage only lasted fifteen weeks.
research help: ' Titanic Love Stories' by Gill Paul
Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric
Line 1 2013 page 2
Line 1 2013 page 2 by ric gustafson
" Good morning" a voice said with a strange cackle.
" And whom do I have the pleasure of being my first call of the morning?".
The voice hesitated. " I go by many names".
Jesse stared at Marci and then took a sip of coffee. " So what name should I call you?".
" My name is Satan but the father of lies is fine".
" The father of lies?".
The voice cackled again. " Actually Jesse, I called for two reasons".
The voice hesitated. " First of all, I know that your show reaches a lot of people".
" Thank you".
" Secondly, I would like to be totally honest with my comments".
Jesse gave Marci a puzzled look. " Satan being honest".
" I know it's a shock". The voice hesitated. " I would like to with your permission".
Jesse noticed that no other calls were lighting up. He quickly bowed his head and prayed. ' Jesus, please give me the strength to get through this'. He put a hand on his little black bible.
" Sure".
research help: original story
Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric
" Good morning" a voice said with a strange cackle.
" And whom do I have the pleasure of being my first call of the morning?".
The voice hesitated. " I go by many names".
Jesse stared at Marci and then took a sip of coffee. " So what name should I call you?".
" My name is Satan but the father of lies is fine".
" The father of lies?".
The voice cackled again. " Actually Jesse, I called for two reasons".
The voice hesitated. " First of all, I know that your show reaches a lot of people".
" Thank you".
" Secondly, I would like to be totally honest with my comments".
Jesse gave Marci a puzzled look. " Satan being honest".
" I know it's a shock". The voice hesitated. " I would like to with your permission".
Jesse noticed that no other calls were lighting up. He quickly bowed his head and prayed. ' Jesus, please give me the strength to get through this'. He put a hand on his little black bible.
" Sure".
research help: original story
Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric
Monday, September 16, 2013
Line 1 2013 page 1
Line 1 2013 page 1 by ric gustafson
Jesse Carter yawned as he poured coffee into a large station mug. " Marci, I am not used to this early in the morning".
" I know" the young woman replied as she combed through her tangled red hair. " I'm not a morning person either". She put a plastic cup of orange juice next to the call console. She noticed right away that the Line 1 button was red. " That's odd" she said as she stared at the console. " Jesse, you already have a call on Line 1".
He sat down in his chair and put his coffee cup next to his microphone. He put on his earphones and set his little black bible next to the cup. He closed his eyes to pray. ' Father Son Holy Spirit, be with me now and give me strength for these calls'. He opened his eyes and pushed the console button.
" Good morning, this is the Jesse morning show".
research help: original story
Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric
Jesse Carter yawned as he poured coffee into a large station mug. " Marci, I am not used to this early in the morning".
" I know" the young woman replied as she combed through her tangled red hair. " I'm not a morning person either". She put a plastic cup of orange juice next to the call console. She noticed right away that the Line 1 button was red. " That's odd" she said as she stared at the console. " Jesse, you already have a call on Line 1".
He sat down in his chair and put his coffee cup next to his microphone. He put on his earphones and set his little black bible next to the cup. He closed his eyes to pray. ' Father Son Holy Spirit, be with me now and give me strength for these calls'. He opened his eyes and pushed the console button.
" Good morning, this is the Jesse morning show".
research help: original story
Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric
Titanic couples: Edward and Ethel Beane
Titanic couples: Edward and Ethel Beane by ric gustafson
Edward Beane was one of ten children born to George and Mary Beane outside of Norwich England. When he proposed to Ethel Clarke, she was only fourteen to his twenty seven. They married in Norwich six years later and Edward saved enough money for a second class ticket on the Titanic.
On the morning of Sunday April 14, they attended a church service that was led by Captain Smith. After the evening dinner, there was a hymn sing in the second class dining room that was attended by more than one hundred passengers.
At the time of the collision, they noticed a slight jolt and thought nothing of it. A woman in their next cabin banged on their door and told them what had happened. They put on warm clothing and went up to the Boat Deck. Ethel was ushered onto Lifeboat 13 and it was lowered at 1:25 am. Ethel watched as the great liner tipped up on it's end and then slipped down under the black cold sea.
The fate of Edward Beane is still a mystery. One theory is that he was able to jump into the water and swim until he joined Lifeboat 13. The other theory is that Edward was picked up from the water by another lifeboat. In any case, Edward claimed that he swam for hours and was then rescued. Back in New York, Edward and Ethel started a new life with nothing to their name. They settled in Rochester New York and only gave one interview about their experiences years later.
Both vowed never to set foot on a ship ever again.
research help: ' Titanic Love Stories' by Gill Paul
Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric
Edward Beane was one of ten children born to George and Mary Beane outside of Norwich England. When he proposed to Ethel Clarke, she was only fourteen to his twenty seven. They married in Norwich six years later and Edward saved enough money for a second class ticket on the Titanic.
On the morning of Sunday April 14, they attended a church service that was led by Captain Smith. After the evening dinner, there was a hymn sing in the second class dining room that was attended by more than one hundred passengers.
At the time of the collision, they noticed a slight jolt and thought nothing of it. A woman in their next cabin banged on their door and told them what had happened. They put on warm clothing and went up to the Boat Deck. Ethel was ushered onto Lifeboat 13 and it was lowered at 1:25 am. Ethel watched as the great liner tipped up on it's end and then slipped down under the black cold sea.
The fate of Edward Beane is still a mystery. One theory is that he was able to jump into the water and swim until he joined Lifeboat 13. The other theory is that Edward was picked up from the water by another lifeboat. In any case, Edward claimed that he swam for hours and was then rescued. Back in New York, Edward and Ethel started a new life with nothing to their name. They settled in Rochester New York and only gave one interview about their experiences years later.
Both vowed never to set foot on a ship ever again.
research help: ' Titanic Love Stories' by Gill Paul
Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric
Sunday, September 15, 2013
Titanic couples: John and Nelle Snyder
Titanic couples: John and Nelle Snyder by ric gustafson
John Pillsbury Snyder came from an old Minneapolis family. His grandfather was Govenor of Minnesota from 1876 to 1882. His great uncle founded the Pillsbury flour company. In December 1911, he opened a garage and truck dealership in Minneapolis. A month later, he married Nelle Snyder who came from a wealthy Minneapolis family. They left for a three month honeymoon.
They traveled to Rome, Florence, Venice and London. Because of the coal workers strike, they were transferred to the Titanic for the voyage home.
Their stateroom on B Deck was close to the room of the Cardeza family and near the suite of Helen and Dickinson Bishop. On the evening of Sunday April 14, they were in bed when the ship collided with an iceberg. A steward woke them up and told them to dress and come up to the Boat Deck. John insisted that Nelle wear her warm fur coat. On the Boat Deck, a crewman literally threw Nelle into Lifeboat 7. John somehow got on board and the boat lowered to the freezing dark water. John helped with the rowing and they watched as the mighty ship broke into two and sank into the dark night. Later, Lifeboat 5 came alongside and the boats joined together. Early in the morning, they were rescued by the liner Carpathia.
After they were rescued, they moved into a house in Minneapolis and John became Vice President of Millers and Traders State Bank. They had three children, a girl and two boys and later grandchildren.
research help: ' Titanic Love Stories' by Gill Paul
Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric
John Pillsbury Snyder came from an old Minneapolis family. His grandfather was Govenor of Minnesota from 1876 to 1882. His great uncle founded the Pillsbury flour company. In December 1911, he opened a garage and truck dealership in Minneapolis. A month later, he married Nelle Snyder who came from a wealthy Minneapolis family. They left for a three month honeymoon.
They traveled to Rome, Florence, Venice and London. Because of the coal workers strike, they were transferred to the Titanic for the voyage home.
Their stateroom on B Deck was close to the room of the Cardeza family and near the suite of Helen and Dickinson Bishop. On the evening of Sunday April 14, they were in bed when the ship collided with an iceberg. A steward woke them up and told them to dress and come up to the Boat Deck. John insisted that Nelle wear her warm fur coat. On the Boat Deck, a crewman literally threw Nelle into Lifeboat 7. John somehow got on board and the boat lowered to the freezing dark water. John helped with the rowing and they watched as the mighty ship broke into two and sank into the dark night. Later, Lifeboat 5 came alongside and the boats joined together. Early in the morning, they were rescued by the liner Carpathia.
After they were rescued, they moved into a house in Minneapolis and John became Vice President of Millers and Traders State Bank. They had three children, a girl and two boys and later grandchildren.
research help: ' Titanic Love Stories' by Gill Paul
Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric
Friday, September 13, 2013
Titanic couples: Lucian and Eloise Smith
Titanic couples: Lucian and Eloise Smith by ric gustafson
Lucian Philip Smith traveled to Huntington West Virginia to meet someone he had seen a picture of. A month later they were married.
Lucian came from Morgantown West Virginia where his family had holdings in coalfields. Eloise was the daughter of a Republican congressman and spent a lot of her growing up near the White House.
For their honeymoon, they visited Egypt, Italy, Monte Carlo and then Paris France. During the honeymoon, Eloise discovered that she was pregnant. They boarded the Titanic at Cherbourg and Lucian spent time playing cards in the smoking room. As they sat in the Café Parisien, they talked about their plans to raise a family on a farm in Huntington.
On the evening of Sunday April 14, they ate dinner in the first class dining room. Afterwards, Eloise went to bed and Lucian joined a game of auction bridge. At 11:40 pm, they heard a grinding noise, walked over to a nearby porthole and noticed a large slab of ice go by.
Lucian ran down to their room and woke up Eloise. He quietly informed her what had happened. She put on a heavy woolen dress, high top shoes and two coats and then they went up to the Boat Deck. Lucian helped her into Lifeboat 4 where she sat by Madeleine Astor. He waved goodbye and walked away.
When it was lowered, it was rowed toward a light shone in the distance. When the ship went under, they heard the cries for help. The lifeboat in the early morning was rescued by the liner Carpathia. Lucian did not come back.
Eloise returned to Huntington accompanied by her father. May 20th, she testified at the Senate Inquiry into the ship's sinking. A year later, a son named Lucian Smith Jr was born. In August of 1914, she married Robert Daniel who was also a Titanic survivor. It did not last and they divorced in 1923. She married twice more and died of a heart attack at the age of forty six.
research help: ' Titanic Love Stories' by Gill Paul
Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric
Lucian Philip Smith traveled to Huntington West Virginia to meet someone he had seen a picture of. A month later they were married.
Lucian came from Morgantown West Virginia where his family had holdings in coalfields. Eloise was the daughter of a Republican congressman and spent a lot of her growing up near the White House.
For their honeymoon, they visited Egypt, Italy, Monte Carlo and then Paris France. During the honeymoon, Eloise discovered that she was pregnant. They boarded the Titanic at Cherbourg and Lucian spent time playing cards in the smoking room. As they sat in the Café Parisien, they talked about their plans to raise a family on a farm in Huntington.
On the evening of Sunday April 14, they ate dinner in the first class dining room. Afterwards, Eloise went to bed and Lucian joined a game of auction bridge. At 11:40 pm, they heard a grinding noise, walked over to a nearby porthole and noticed a large slab of ice go by.
Lucian ran down to their room and woke up Eloise. He quietly informed her what had happened. She put on a heavy woolen dress, high top shoes and two coats and then they went up to the Boat Deck. Lucian helped her into Lifeboat 4 where she sat by Madeleine Astor. He waved goodbye and walked away.
When it was lowered, it was rowed toward a light shone in the distance. When the ship went under, they heard the cries for help. The lifeboat in the early morning was rescued by the liner Carpathia. Lucian did not come back.
Eloise returned to Huntington accompanied by her father. May 20th, she testified at the Senate Inquiry into the ship's sinking. A year later, a son named Lucian Smith Jr was born. In August of 1914, she married Robert Daniel who was also a Titanic survivor. It did not last and they divorced in 1923. She married twice more and died of a heart attack at the age of forty six.
research help: ' Titanic Love Stories' by Gill Paul
Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric
Why? trusting God when my heart is broken
Why? trusting God when my heart is broken by ric gustafson
Bad things will happen to everyone. It can be easy to say ' Why God did you let this happen to me?. Are you displeased with me?. What have I done wrong?. We think to ourselves if God really loves me only good things are going to happen. When bad things do happen to us, we begin to question our relationship with God.
When we suffer, do we become angry, resentful and confused?. Have we ever doubted God's love for us?. When these feelings and situations come up, God wants us to pray to him. God loves us more than anything else and sent his Son to die for us and set us free. Bad things will happen to those who love Jesus. We must remember that glory follows suffering and life follows death. When we suffer, it is hard to glimpse glory. The next time we say Why me God? pray to our heavenly father and he will say back quietly why not you? just trust me.
research help: ' Why?' by Anne Graham Lotz
Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric
Bad things will happen to everyone. It can be easy to say ' Why God did you let this happen to me?. Are you displeased with me?. What have I done wrong?. We think to ourselves if God really loves me only good things are going to happen. When bad things do happen to us, we begin to question our relationship with God.
When we suffer, do we become angry, resentful and confused?. Have we ever doubted God's love for us?. When these feelings and situations come up, God wants us to pray to him. God loves us more than anything else and sent his Son to die for us and set us free. Bad things will happen to those who love Jesus. We must remember that glory follows suffering and life follows death. When we suffer, it is hard to glimpse glory. The next time we say Why me God? pray to our heavenly father and he will say back quietly why not you? just trust me.
research help: ' Why?' by Anne Graham Lotz
Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric
Thursday, September 12, 2013
the Ripper page 2
the Ripper page 2 by ric gustafson
Dr Barnett led me up some stairs. He pointed as he talked. " On this first floor are the pregnant and postpartum patients". He pointed. " At the back of this floor are the delivery area and the nursery".
" Where do the children stay?".
He frowned. " Nowhere in particular, money is always an issue here".
We walked up to the second floor. " It's a lot quieter up here".
" This second and third floors are used for the prostitutes who come in for venereal disease and drinking ailments".
We walked up to the fourth floor where Dr Barnett had his office. We walked in and sat down next to his desk. He took out a pipe, filled it and began to puff on it. A figure stepped into the doorway.
" Dr Siddal, this is Carley Sharp Lady Sharp's granddaughter".
The Doctor smiled. " Carley, I will see you first thing tomorrow morning".
She walked out the front door and toward her carriage. As she reached it, a young man opened the door. " Hello, I am Simon St John and I work at the hospital".
" I'm Carley Sharp and I'm going to be working under Dr Barnett starting tomorrow".
" Nice to meet you".
research help: ' Ripper' by Amy Carol Reeves
Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric
Dr Barnett led me up some stairs. He pointed as he talked. " On this first floor are the pregnant and postpartum patients". He pointed. " At the back of this floor are the delivery area and the nursery".
" Where do the children stay?".
He frowned. " Nowhere in particular, money is always an issue here".
We walked up to the second floor. " It's a lot quieter up here".
" This second and third floors are used for the prostitutes who come in for venereal disease and drinking ailments".
We walked up to the fourth floor where Dr Barnett had his office. We walked in and sat down next to his desk. He took out a pipe, filled it and began to puff on it. A figure stepped into the doorway.
" Dr Siddal, this is Carley Sharp Lady Sharp's granddaughter".
The Doctor smiled. " Carley, I will see you first thing tomorrow morning".
She walked out the front door and toward her carriage. As she reached it, a young man opened the door. " Hello, I am Simon St John and I work at the hospital".
" I'm Carley Sharp and I'm going to be working under Dr Barnett starting tomorrow".
" Nice to meet you".
research help: ' Ripper' by Amy Carol Reeves
Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
Why? trusting God's purpose
Why? trusting God's purpose by ric gustafson
When the storms of life hit, I can lay hold of the one who is mighty and faithful. God has a plan for each one of us and we need to pray and give God the glory. We need to trust God with whatever the outcome is. Is it the storm of debt, death, divorce or disease on you right now?. What has been our reaction to the storm?. Are we yelling to God why did this thing happen to me?. Are we sinking into denial and depression?. Sometimes we have to go through a whole cluster of storms one right after the other. God wants us to soar like an eagle above our storms and to trust him always.
research help: ' Why?' by Anne Graham Lotz
Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric
When the storms of life hit, I can lay hold of the one who is mighty and faithful. God has a plan for each one of us and we need to pray and give God the glory. We need to trust God with whatever the outcome is. Is it the storm of debt, death, divorce or disease on you right now?. What has been our reaction to the storm?. Are we yelling to God why did this thing happen to me?. Are we sinking into denial and depression?. Sometimes we have to go through a whole cluster of storms one right after the other. God wants us to soar like an eagle above our storms and to trust him always.
research help: ' Why?' by Anne Graham Lotz
Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric
Monday, September 9, 2013
the Ripper page 1
the Ripper page 1 by ric gustafson
The carriage dropped me off on the front steps of the Whitechapel Hospital. It was my first day at work. The building was old, big and stood out in the East End. When I entered the front of the building, odors hit me right away. I could smell feces, ammonia, urine and acidic smells. The first floor was full of children some toddlers who were running around. Nurses in blue dresses and dirty pinafores were attending women in their beds.
" Carley Sharp".
I turned to see a nurse quickly come down a narrow grimy set of stairs. She looked stressed and angry.
" Yes, I'm Carley Sharp".
" I'm here to take you to Dr Franklin Barnett".
We walked up the stairs to a man who had white hair and a trim beard.
" Hello Miss Sharp". He gave me a big smile. " I'm glad you arrived safely".
" Thank you".
" I'll show you around as we walk toward my office".
research help: ' Ripper' by Amy Carol Reeves
Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric
The carriage dropped me off on the front steps of the Whitechapel Hospital. It was my first day at work. The building was old, big and stood out in the East End. When I entered the front of the building, odors hit me right away. I could smell feces, ammonia, urine and acidic smells. The first floor was full of children some toddlers who were running around. Nurses in blue dresses and dirty pinafores were attending women in their beds.
" Carley Sharp".
I turned to see a nurse quickly come down a narrow grimy set of stairs. She looked stressed and angry.
" Yes, I'm Carley Sharp".
" I'm here to take you to Dr Franklin Barnett".
We walked up the stairs to a man who had white hair and a trim beard.
" Hello Miss Sharp". He gave me a big smile. " I'm glad you arrived safely".
" Thank you".
" I'll show you around as we walk toward my office".
research help: ' Ripper' by Amy Carol Reeves
Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric
Why? trusting God's heart
Why? trusting God's heart by ric gustafson
We ask a lot of whys when storms enter our lives. Our hearts are broken and we ask the age old question. Beginning with the first parents Adam and Eve, that question has prevailed over time. I'm sure they woke up on the hard cold ground wearing smelly animal skins and asking that same question. They probably asked the same question when their one son murdered his brother.
God sent his son to destroy the power of sin and he is the answer to our never ending question. When we suffer, we are to look for Jesus who is our help in suffering. We need to trust Jesus when we do not understand. We need to trust his heart, his purpose, his goodness and he will set us free.
We must trust the heart of Jesus which is love and always trust him forever.
research help: ' Why?' by Anne Graham Lotz
Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric
We ask a lot of whys when storms enter our lives. Our hearts are broken and we ask the age old question. Beginning with the first parents Adam and Eve, that question has prevailed over time. I'm sure they woke up on the hard cold ground wearing smelly animal skins and asking that same question. They probably asked the same question when their one son murdered his brother.
God sent his son to destroy the power of sin and he is the answer to our never ending question. When we suffer, we are to look for Jesus who is our help in suffering. We need to trust Jesus when we do not understand. We need to trust his heart, his purpose, his goodness and he will set us free.
We must trust the heart of Jesus which is love and always trust him forever.
research help: ' Why?' by Anne Graham Lotz
Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric
Sunday, September 8, 2013
Why? trusting God when I don't understand
Why? trusting God when I don't understand by ric gustafson
Proverbs 3:5 says trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. Why does God let bad things happen to good people?. Jesus gave his life for us on a cross, was buried and on the third day rose again. According to Romans 8:28, Paul writes that we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him who have been called according to his purpose.
As God's children, we need a reminder to trust him when we don't understand and nothing seems to make sense. John chapter 11 describes the story of Lazarus who was a beloved friend of Jesus. He became seriously ill and his two sisters struggled to understand.
God is bigger than our suffering and we need to place our trust in him. We need to trust in his faithfulness and that he will work things out in our lives. We need to pray that God's purposes are for our ultimate good and his eternal glory. In the end, Mary and Martha's faith was rewarded as they trusted God when they did not understand.
Because we are a child of God, our suffering is not wasted and is not an end in itself.
research help: ' Why?' by Anne Graham Lotz
Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric
Proverbs 3:5 says trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. Why does God let bad things happen to good people?. Jesus gave his life for us on a cross, was buried and on the third day rose again. According to Romans 8:28, Paul writes that we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him who have been called according to his purpose.
As God's children, we need a reminder to trust him when we don't understand and nothing seems to make sense. John chapter 11 describes the story of Lazarus who was a beloved friend of Jesus. He became seriously ill and his two sisters struggled to understand.
God is bigger than our suffering and we need to place our trust in him. We need to trust in his faithfulness and that he will work things out in our lives. We need to pray that God's purposes are for our ultimate good and his eternal glory. In the end, Mary and Martha's faith was rewarded as they trusted God when they did not understand.
Because we are a child of God, our suffering is not wasted and is not an end in itself.
research help: ' Why?' by Anne Graham Lotz
Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric
Eva B page 21
Eva B page 21 by ric gustafson
Adi can hear the enemy above. He leads me into the wedding room. I take his arm. We are introduced to City Councilor Walter Wagner. Bormann, Josef and Magda are by my side. First we declare that we are third generation Aryans. I begin to sign as Eva Braun and then change it to Eva Hitler. Bormann and Josef sign as witnesses. Afterwards, we walk into the dining area for a reception.
Magda smiled. " The children are asleep if you would like to see them".
We quietly walk into their room. " They look so peaceful".
" Tomorrow night, I will crush a cyanide capsule into their mouths while they sleep".
I frowned at that thought.
" Josef and I will follow after".
I walk back to my room and wait for Adi.
Josef and Magda put cyanide capsules around their necks and took a nap near their children.
What is it like to die?. My bones and Adi's will go up in flames. There has never been a noble death in my family. I stare at the little pillbox by my bed. Adi and I will have an enduring destiny.
Later, Adi puts on a common soldier's uniform and then puts his Iron Cross on the left side of his tunic. I put on a black dress with pink roses stitched near the neck.
It is early morning and we sit down on Adi's blue and white sofa. My notebook is on my lap and a pencil in my hand. I put a cyanide capsule on my tongue and put a Walther 7.65 revolver against Adi's right temple.
" Say something Adi".
" Mohnstrudel".
I pull the trigger and bite down on the capsule.
The End
research help: ' The Patient Ecstasy of Fraulein Braun' by Lavonne Mueller
Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric
Adi can hear the enemy above. He leads me into the wedding room. I take his arm. We are introduced to City Councilor Walter Wagner. Bormann, Josef and Magda are by my side. First we declare that we are third generation Aryans. I begin to sign as Eva Braun and then change it to Eva Hitler. Bormann and Josef sign as witnesses. Afterwards, we walk into the dining area for a reception.
Magda smiled. " The children are asleep if you would like to see them".
We quietly walk into their room. " They look so peaceful".
" Tomorrow night, I will crush a cyanide capsule into their mouths while they sleep".
I frowned at that thought.
" Josef and I will follow after".
I walk back to my room and wait for Adi.
Josef and Magda put cyanide capsules around their necks and took a nap near their children.
What is it like to die?. My bones and Adi's will go up in flames. There has never been a noble death in my family. I stare at the little pillbox by my bed. Adi and I will have an enduring destiny.
Later, Adi puts on a common soldier's uniform and then puts his Iron Cross on the left side of his tunic. I put on a black dress with pink roses stitched near the neck.
It is early morning and we sit down on Adi's blue and white sofa. My notebook is on my lap and a pencil in my hand. I put a cyanide capsule on my tongue and put a Walther 7.65 revolver against Adi's right temple.
" Say something Adi".
" Mohnstrudel".
I pull the trigger and bite down on the capsule.
The End
research help: ' The Patient Ecstasy of Fraulein Braun' by Lavonne Mueller
Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric
Saturday, September 7, 2013
Eva B page 20
Eva B page 20 by ric gustafson
I can't wait for my wedding to Adi. My dress makes my waist look small. It also shows off my firm trim legs. I have dreamed about this day since being a girl in Bavaria. I feel old after all that Adi and I have been through. I am marrying a genius and that is more important than death.
Adi enters wearing a uniform with an Iron Cross on the left side.
I smile. " It's bad luck to see your bride before the wedding".
He grins and then hands me some capsules. " These were given to me by Himmler".
I look at them in my right hand.
" First, I have to test them".
He walks over to the dog bunker where canine handler Fritz Tornow is holding Blondi's leash. He carefully opens Blondi's mouth, puts the capsule in and crushes the cyanide capsule against her teeth. The german shepherd fell over dead and the Fuhrer stood up and left in tears satisfied that the capsules worked.
research help: ' The Patient Ecstasy of Fraulein Braun' by Lavonne Mueller
Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric
I can't wait for my wedding to Adi. My dress makes my waist look small. It also shows off my firm trim legs. I have dreamed about this day since being a girl in Bavaria. I feel old after all that Adi and I have been through. I am marrying a genius and that is more important than death.
Adi enters wearing a uniform with an Iron Cross on the left side.
I smile. " It's bad luck to see your bride before the wedding".
He grins and then hands me some capsules. " These were given to me by Himmler".
I look at them in my right hand.
" First, I have to test them".
He walks over to the dog bunker where canine handler Fritz Tornow is holding Blondi's leash. He carefully opens Blondi's mouth, puts the capsule in and crushes the cyanide capsule against her teeth. The german shepherd fell over dead and the Fuhrer stood up and left in tears satisfied that the capsules worked.
research help: ' The Patient Ecstasy of Fraulein Braun' by Lavonne Mueller
Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric
Eva B page 19
Eva B page 19 by ric gustafson
I have decided to wear a simple black dress with roses on the side. Bormann has arranged for tulips to be delivered by midnight. Later there is a knock at my door. It is Bormann with an agenda for the wedding ceremony. He is not happy that I have painted my toes for the occasion. The wedding is going to take place after midnight with a justice of the peace. His name is Walter Wagner and Goebbels is going to be my witness. We are going to have a short party and then retire to Adi's bedroom. Later that morning, Adi and I are going to kill ourselves.
There is another knock on the door. It is Magda.
" I'm going to wear red to your wedding". She smiled. " Josef, myself and the children will follow".
" Have you told Adi?".
" Yes I have told the Fuhrer and we have his blessing".
" What about the children?".
" I will be giving them chocolate filled with the drug Finodin".
" What about you and Josef?".
" Both my husband and I have glass cyanide capsules".
I grinned. " There is so much to do before my wedding".
" Eva, I am here to help you".
research help: ' The Patient Ecstasy of Fraulein Braun' by Lavonne Mueller
Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric
I have decided to wear a simple black dress with roses on the side. Bormann has arranged for tulips to be delivered by midnight. Later there is a knock at my door. It is Bormann with an agenda for the wedding ceremony. He is not happy that I have painted my toes for the occasion. The wedding is going to take place after midnight with a justice of the peace. His name is Walter Wagner and Goebbels is going to be my witness. We are going to have a short party and then retire to Adi's bedroom. Later that morning, Adi and I are going to kill ourselves.
There is another knock on the door. It is Magda.
" I'm going to wear red to your wedding". She smiled. " Josef, myself and the children will follow".
" Have you told Adi?".
" Yes I have told the Fuhrer and we have his blessing".
" What about the children?".
" I will be giving them chocolate filled with the drug Finodin".
" What about you and Josef?".
" Both my husband and I have glass cyanide capsules".
I grinned. " There is so much to do before my wedding".
" Eva, I am here to help you".
research help: ' The Patient Ecstasy of Fraulein Braun' by Lavonne Mueller
Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric
Friday, September 6, 2013
Titanic couples: Victor and Pepita Penasco
Titanic couples: Victor and Pepita Penasco by ric gustafson
Victor and Pepita Penasco had the most lavish honeymoon. They traveled to Vienna, Monte Carlo, London and Paris. They stayed in the best hotels and when they ran out of money, Victor used money from his trust fund.
In March 1912, they noticed posters advertising the Titanic. They always wanted to see New York and the ship appealed to them. They booked a first class cabin and a smaller room across the hall for Pepita's maid. Because they were Spanish, they spent a lot of time with others who spoke their language.
At 11:30 pm April 14, they returned to their cabin and Pepita went right to bed. Victor heard an odd noise and went out to find a steward. He saw others go to the Boat Dock so he went back to their cabin and woke up his wife. She put a shawl over her nightdress and they went up to the Boat Deck. At Lifeboat 8, Seaman Thomas Jones told him that women and children were to get in. Victor helped Pepita and Fermina into the boat and then left. The boat was lowered at 1:10 am. On board was twenty four women, one seaman, two stewards and one cook. The next morning, the lifeboat was rescued by the liner Carpathia and Pepita could not find Victor on board.
After six years, Pepita remarried and had three children with her new husband.
She never forgot Victor.
research help: ' Titanic Love Stories' by Gill Paul
Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric
Victor and Pepita Penasco had the most lavish honeymoon. They traveled to Vienna, Monte Carlo, London and Paris. They stayed in the best hotels and when they ran out of money, Victor used money from his trust fund.
In March 1912, they noticed posters advertising the Titanic. They always wanted to see New York and the ship appealed to them. They booked a first class cabin and a smaller room across the hall for Pepita's maid. Because they were Spanish, they spent a lot of time with others who spoke their language.
At 11:30 pm April 14, they returned to their cabin and Pepita went right to bed. Victor heard an odd noise and went out to find a steward. He saw others go to the Boat Dock so he went back to their cabin and woke up his wife. She put a shawl over her nightdress and they went up to the Boat Deck. At Lifeboat 8, Seaman Thomas Jones told him that women and children were to get in. Victor helped Pepita and Fermina into the boat and then left. The boat was lowered at 1:10 am. On board was twenty four women, one seaman, two stewards and one cook. The next morning, the lifeboat was rescued by the liner Carpathia and Pepita could not find Victor on board.
After six years, Pepita remarried and had three children with her new husband.
She never forgot Victor.
research help: ' Titanic Love Stories' by Gill Paul
Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric
the Birds of the Bible Museum page 8
the Birds of the Bible Museum page 8 by ric gustafson
One of the girls ran up to the next exhibit. " Daddy, we've seen this bird at the zoo".
He walked up and stared at it. " You're right we have".
" Daddy, is that the bird who's wings stretch out?".
" That is correct" Betty said as she walked up and stopped. " That is a peacock".
The mother smiled. " The ones we've seen at the zoo look pretty".
" The peacock has pretty colors and when it stretches it's tail feathers, it could go more than a yard long".
The mother thought for a moment. " Where in the bible do they mention peacocks?".
" Actually it was first mentioned in the time of Solomon".
" He was a very smart man".
" He was". Betty smiled and straightened her nametag. " Every three years he would send vessels to distant countries".
" What would he bring back?".
" Gold, silver, apes and peacocks".
The father smiled. " Every time I see a peacock at the zoo now, I will think of Solomon".
research help: christiansunite.org
Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric
One of the girls ran up to the next exhibit. " Daddy, we've seen this bird at the zoo".
He walked up and stared at it. " You're right we have".
" Daddy, is that the bird who's wings stretch out?".
" That is correct" Betty said as she walked up and stopped. " That is a peacock".
The mother smiled. " The ones we've seen at the zoo look pretty".
" The peacock has pretty colors and when it stretches it's tail feathers, it could go more than a yard long".
The mother thought for a moment. " Where in the bible do they mention peacocks?".
" Actually it was first mentioned in the time of Solomon".
" He was a very smart man".
" He was". Betty smiled and straightened her nametag. " Every three years he would send vessels to distant countries".
" What would he bring back?".
" Gold, silver, apes and peacocks".
The father smiled. " Every time I see a peacock at the zoo now, I will think of Solomon".
research help: christiansunite.org
Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric
I Am: a God who calls us to worship
I Am: a God who calls us to worship by ric gustafson
God loves us so much that he demands our worship. God is worthy of worship and we should adore him for who he is. God is worthy to receive it, we were created to give it and God's Word says that we should do it. We must worship God in love and not in our selfish ways. God is unselfish love and gives us that daily. Because of that we should worship God with every fiber of our being. We should no longer treat worship as an option or do it passively. We should think of worship as being in a place where we have union with God and be close to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
research help: ' I Am' by Steve Fry
Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric
God loves us so much that he demands our worship. God is worthy of worship and we should adore him for who he is. God is worthy to receive it, we were created to give it and God's Word says that we should do it. We must worship God in love and not in our selfish ways. God is unselfish love and gives us that daily. Because of that we should worship God with every fiber of our being. We should no longer treat worship as an option or do it passively. We should think of worship as being in a place where we have union with God and be close to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
research help: ' I Am' by Steve Fry
Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric
Eva B page 18
Eva B page 18 by ric gustafson
Adi is coming out of the map room smiling. Maybe he is thinking about our upcoming wedding.
" My sweet Evchen, you should leave Berlin with Hans".
" I won't leave you Adi".
He hits a desk hard with a clenched fist. " The German people have let me down". He gives me a sad look. " I want our earth scorched".
" I'm not leaving you".
He holds me tight. " The Allies will never capture and drag me through the streets like a monkey in a cage".
" Adi, how will you do that?".
" I will take cyanide and then shoot myself".
" Then I will die by your side".
Adi now is slightly hunched over and trembling. I do not recognize him.
" Magda and Josef are going to do the same".
I frowned at that notion. " Adi, and then what?".
" Bormann will see that our bodies are completely burned".
" What about the children?".
" They will be also".
I'm eager to burn with Adi in fire. I do not want my bones to be in an American museum.
" At midnight my Evchen, we will be married".
research help: ' The Patient Ecstasy of Fraulein Braun' by Lavonne Mueller
Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric
Adi is coming out of the map room smiling. Maybe he is thinking about our upcoming wedding.
" My sweet Evchen, you should leave Berlin with Hans".
" I won't leave you Adi".
He hits a desk hard with a clenched fist. " The German people have let me down". He gives me a sad look. " I want our earth scorched".
" I'm not leaving you".
He holds me tight. " The Allies will never capture and drag me through the streets like a monkey in a cage".
" Adi, how will you do that?".
" I will take cyanide and then shoot myself".
" Then I will die by your side".
Adi now is slightly hunched over and trembling. I do not recognize him.
" Magda and Josef are going to do the same".
I frowned at that notion. " Adi, and then what?".
" Bormann will see that our bodies are completely burned".
" What about the children?".
" They will be also".
I'm eager to burn with Adi in fire. I do not want my bones to be in an American museum.
" At midnight my Evchen, we will be married".
research help: ' The Patient Ecstasy of Fraulein Braun' by Lavonne Mueller
Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric
Thursday, September 5, 2013
I Am: a God of spiritual warfare
I Am: a God of spiritual warfare by ric gustafson
Jesus on the cross said ' it is finished'. Satan's power over us was broken on the Cross. Jesus sits at his Father's right hand and intercedes on our behalf. We are seated with Christ and worship him. We know that Jesus secured our victory and he is seated at the right hand of God. We can resist the flaming arrows of the evil one knowing that we can live in calm and securely in the authority of Jesus Christ.
research help: ' I Am' by Steve Fry
Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric
Jesus on the cross said ' it is finished'. Satan's power over us was broken on the Cross. Jesus sits at his Father's right hand and intercedes on our behalf. We are seated with Christ and worship him. We know that Jesus secured our victory and he is seated at the right hand of God. We can resist the flaming arrows of the evil one knowing that we can live in calm and securely in the authority of Jesus Christ.
research help: ' I Am' by Steve Fry
Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric
Eva B page 17
Eva B page 17 by ric gustafson
Berlin was never my favorite city. Adi was always meeting heads of state and diplomats. I was invisible and alone. Finally, I can spend more time with Adi but the city is now in ruins. Above this concrete Bunker are mangled homes, smoke filled air and broken telephone poles. Sirens are constantly blaring and the ground shakes. Money floats through the streets and stores and apartment buildings have been blasted to rubble.
Few birds still fly here. Sparrows and wrens try to fly through the thick smoke. The Zoo had been hit by thirty six bombs. The young soldier leads me toward the Zoo.
" We shouldn't stray too far from the Bunker".
I smiled. " I know you will protect me".
When we return to the Chancellery garden, Lieutenant Kerscher runs out. " The Fuhrer wishes to see you in his quarters".
As I reach the Bunker steps, I turn and look around at the madness around me.
Berlin is dying and I will soon become Adi's wife.
research help: ' The Patient Ecstasy of Fraulein Braun' by Lavonne Mueller
Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric
Berlin was never my favorite city. Adi was always meeting heads of state and diplomats. I was invisible and alone. Finally, I can spend more time with Adi but the city is now in ruins. Above this concrete Bunker are mangled homes, smoke filled air and broken telephone poles. Sirens are constantly blaring and the ground shakes. Money floats through the streets and stores and apartment buildings have been blasted to rubble.
Few birds still fly here. Sparrows and wrens try to fly through the thick smoke. The Zoo had been hit by thirty six bombs. The young soldier leads me toward the Zoo.
" We shouldn't stray too far from the Bunker".
I smiled. " I know you will protect me".
When we return to the Chancellery garden, Lieutenant Kerscher runs out. " The Fuhrer wishes to see you in his quarters".
As I reach the Bunker steps, I turn and look around at the madness around me.
Berlin is dying and I will soon become Adi's wife.
research help: ' The Patient Ecstasy of Fraulein Braun' by Lavonne Mueller
Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
I Am: a celebrated God
I Am: a celebrated God by ric gustafson
To the Apostle Paul, drawing near to God brought him inner joy. The truth is that the closer we get to God, the greater our joy. Paul exclaims in Philippians 4 to rejoice in the Lord always, I will say it again rejoice". It is time to celebrate because the Lord is near. Not only is God near at the end of time, he is near now. God's joy knows no bounds. God is a God of celebration and we should rejoice and bless his name always.
research help: ' I Am' by Steve Fry
Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric
To the Apostle Paul, drawing near to God brought him inner joy. The truth is that the closer we get to God, the greater our joy. Paul exclaims in Philippians 4 to rejoice in the Lord always, I will say it again rejoice". It is time to celebrate because the Lord is near. Not only is God near at the end of time, he is near now. God's joy knows no bounds. God is a God of celebration and we should rejoice and bless his name always.
research help: ' I Am' by Steve Fry
Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
I Am: a God at the center of our lives
I Am: a God at the center of our lives by ric gustafson
God wants to share all of your life mundane or not. When we become followers of God, he wants us to have him as number one in our lives. God doesn't just want to be number one, he wants to be the only one in our lives. God wants to be the center of our lives at all times and all situations. God was the center of Jesus's life and he wants nothing but the same from us.
research help: ' I Am' by Steve Fry
Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric
God wants to share all of your life mundane or not. When we become followers of God, he wants us to have him as number one in our lives. God doesn't just want to be number one, he wants to be the only one in our lives. God wants to be the center of our lives at all times and all situations. God was the center of Jesus's life and he wants nothing but the same from us.
research help: ' I Am' by Steve Fry
Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric
the Birds of the Bible Museum page 7
the Birds of the Bible Museum page 7 by ric gustafson
One of the girls ran up to the next exhibit. She pointed. " What kind of bird is that?".
She smiled. " These small birds are called quail".
" It really is a small bird" the mother replied as she held onto one of the girls tiny hands.
" Yes, actually it is the size of a pigeon".
" As I remember from the bible" the father said as he thought for a moment. " Wasn't quail used as food?".
" Yes, at one point the children of Israel were complaining in the Wilderness".
" Why were they doing that?".
" They were complaining that they did not have enough meat to eat".
" So what did God do?".
Betty smiled. " God took care of the situation".
The wife smiled. " So what did God do?".
" He sent into their camp all the quail that they could eat".
research help: christiansunite.com
Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric
One of the girls ran up to the next exhibit. She pointed. " What kind of bird is that?".
She smiled. " These small birds are called quail".
" It really is a small bird" the mother replied as she held onto one of the girls tiny hands.
" Yes, actually it is the size of a pigeon".
" As I remember from the bible" the father said as he thought for a moment. " Wasn't quail used as food?".
" Yes, at one point the children of Israel were complaining in the Wilderness".
" Why were they doing that?".
" They were complaining that they did not have enough meat to eat".
" So what did God do?".
Betty smiled. " God took care of the situation".
The wife smiled. " So what did God do?".
" He sent into their camp all the quail that they could eat".
research help: christiansunite.com
Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric
Eva B page 16
Eva B page 16 by ric gustafson
A young private wearing a spiked helmet interrupted Adi and I. " Mein Fuhrer, the Zoo has been hit".
Adi frowns.
" Animals are running wild in the streets".
Adi slams a closed fist on a table. " We will hold Berlin at all costs". The sight of the young runner brought back war memories for Adi. He remembered when he was a young soldier himself in the List Regiment during the First World War. He was awarded the Iron Cross for bravery.
I find out the young soldier has the same name as my cousin. Adi hands him three potato dumplings that were to be his afternoon snack.
We smile as little Helmut Goebbels rides his little bike around the room.
The young soldier asks if I would like to see the Zoo from the top of the Bunker. Adi agrees and we climb the thirty eight steps to the top of the spiral staircase. As we enter the Chancellery garden. my eyes blink in the sunlight. I noticed that the vegetable garden I had planted was now pitted with bomb craters. The area around the Bunker entrance was now churned up and charred.
The young soldier leads me to a lookout tower that Goebbels had built.
As I stare out over a bombed but once beautiful city, I cry.
" Please walk with me to the Zoo".
research help: ' The Patient Ecstasy of Fraulein Braun' by Lavonne Mueller
Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric
A young private wearing a spiked helmet interrupted Adi and I. " Mein Fuhrer, the Zoo has been hit".
Adi frowns.
" Animals are running wild in the streets".
Adi slams a closed fist on a table. " We will hold Berlin at all costs". The sight of the young runner brought back war memories for Adi. He remembered when he was a young soldier himself in the List Regiment during the First World War. He was awarded the Iron Cross for bravery.
I find out the young soldier has the same name as my cousin. Adi hands him three potato dumplings that were to be his afternoon snack.
We smile as little Helmut Goebbels rides his little bike around the room.
The young soldier asks if I would like to see the Zoo from the top of the Bunker. Adi agrees and we climb the thirty eight steps to the top of the spiral staircase. As we enter the Chancellery garden. my eyes blink in the sunlight. I noticed that the vegetable garden I had planted was now pitted with bomb craters. The area around the Bunker entrance was now churned up and charred.
The young soldier leads me to a lookout tower that Goebbels had built.
As I stare out over a bombed but once beautiful city, I cry.
" Please walk with me to the Zoo".
research help: ' The Patient Ecstasy of Fraulein Braun' by Lavonne Mueller
Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric
Monday, September 2, 2013
the Forgotten page 3
the Forgotten page 3 by ric gustafson
Maynard gave Captain Muncie a hopeful look. " I need a job".
" Great, I could use the help today". He pulled up the anchor and started the boat.
Maynard took care of the jetty ropes and the boat eased into the harbor. The boat started heading into the deeper water. As the boat headed into deeper water, Maynard joined the Captain in the steering booth.
" Captain, where are we going?".
Captain Muncie lit up his worn black pipe. " My boss has instructed me to take this boat to the deepest part of the sea".
After a period of time, Captain Muncie slowed the boat and it seemed to Maynard as if they were in the middle of nowhere. He cut the motor, dropped the anchor and smiled at Maynard. " Ready to go to work".
" Sure".
The Captain went below, opened the cargo hold and the lift. The lift carried up some heavy black bags up to the deck. " Let's put the bags by the edge of the boat".
Maynard noticed that each bag had a small tag on it. It read ' past sins'.
" Let's get started".
The Captain and Maynard began to throw the bags overboard.
After what seemed like a long time, they threw the last bag into the water.
" That's it Maynard" Captain Muncie exclaimed as he put the lift down and closed the cargo hold. He pulled up the anchor and started the engine.
As the boat slowly steered for home, Maynard wondered something.
" Captain Muncie, why did we just throw all those bags overboard?".
" My boss told me a long time ago". He gave Maynard a loving look. " Past sins are forgotten, thrown into the deepest sea and remembered no more".
Maynard pondered that thought as the ' Forgotten' headed for home.
The End- dedicated to Tom E
Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric
Maynard gave Captain Muncie a hopeful look. " I need a job".
" Great, I could use the help today". He pulled up the anchor and started the boat.
Maynard took care of the jetty ropes and the boat eased into the harbor. The boat started heading into the deeper water. As the boat headed into deeper water, Maynard joined the Captain in the steering booth.
" Captain, where are we going?".
Captain Muncie lit up his worn black pipe. " My boss has instructed me to take this boat to the deepest part of the sea".
After a period of time, Captain Muncie slowed the boat and it seemed to Maynard as if they were in the middle of nowhere. He cut the motor, dropped the anchor and smiled at Maynard. " Ready to go to work".
" Sure".
The Captain went below, opened the cargo hold and the lift. The lift carried up some heavy black bags up to the deck. " Let's put the bags by the edge of the boat".
Maynard noticed that each bag had a small tag on it. It read ' past sins'.
" Let's get started".
The Captain and Maynard began to throw the bags overboard.
After what seemed like a long time, they threw the last bag into the water.
" That's it Maynard" Captain Muncie exclaimed as he put the lift down and closed the cargo hold. He pulled up the anchor and started the engine.
As the boat slowly steered for home, Maynard wondered something.
" Captain Muncie, why did we just throw all those bags overboard?".
" My boss told me a long time ago". He gave Maynard a loving look. " Past sins are forgotten, thrown into the deepest sea and remembered no more".
Maynard pondered that thought as the ' Forgotten' headed for home.
The End- dedicated to Tom E
Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric
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