Lent 2015 February 28

Lent 2015 February 28 by ric Gustafson


Mark 6:3 says ' isn't this the carpenter? isn't he Mary's son?'.
Jesus was a carpenter and Mary's son. Jesus was God who came to earth. Jesus was also a man who grew up in a small town with a family and had a trade. The townspeople probably considered him strange for leaving and wandering around the countryside.
When Jesus came back home, it was nearly impossible to see him as their Savior. He was a common and familiar figure in his time and place. Jesus walked the earth as a common man. God's love and mercy are given to us every day if we have eyes to see.


research help: ' The Sanctuary for Lent 2015' by Sue Mink


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Lent 2015 February 27

Lent 2015 February 27 by ric Gustafson


John 1:29 says that John the Baptist exclaimed ' Look the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world'.


Jesus is the Lamb of God. God did one last plague to convince Pharaoh to let the Hebrews go free. All the first born in the land from animals to people were to be killed. God told the Hebrews to kill a lamb and smear the blood over their door frames. The angel of death would see this and pass over the house. Every year Jews celebrate this as Passover including a meal that includes lamb.
Jesus became the Passover lamb. Jesus always protects us during our life of sin and points us toward a life in him. That life is eternal life.


research help: ' The Sanctuary for Lent 2015' by Sue Mink


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Jesus Calling February 24

Jesus Calling February 24 by ric Gustafson


I Corinthians 13:12 says ' now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror then we shall see face to face'. Jesus tells us to be still in the light of his presence. There is no force in the whole universe as powerful as Jesus's love. We have limitations but there is no limit to Jesus's love for us.
When we see Jesus face to face we see how wide, long and deep his love is. We need the presence of Jesus to carry us through each and every day.


research help: ' Jesus Calling' by Sarah Young


Happy Lent and God's blessings. Love Ric

Jesus Calling February 23

Jesus Calling February 23 by ric Gustafson


Psalm 89:15 says ' blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you who walk in the light of your presence O Lord'.


Jesus warns us to be on guard against the trap of self pity. When we are tired or sick, this danger can occur. Jesus wants us to stay away from the edge of this pit.
To stay away from self pity, we need to occupy ourselves with Jesus. We need to always thank him and praise his name. With Jesus, it is impossible to feel sorry for yourself. Jesus says fix your eyes on me and live in the light of my presence. Then we will be able to run the race with endurance and not stumble or fall.


research help: ' Jesus Calling' by Sarah Young


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A Life Of Purpose page 2

A Life Of Purpose page 2 by ric Gustafson


The gray haired gentleman smiled at Nicholas. He got up from the rocking chair. " Care to join me for a little supper?". He opened the screen door and walked in.
" Sure". ' He must of noticed my stomach growling' Nicholas thought as he followed him into a small but nicely decorated living room. Under the living room window was a big brown couch. Along another wall was a small TV on a small wooden entertainment center. He walked into a small kitchen and sat down at a table that was no bigger than a standard card table.
The gray haired man walked over and took cheese slices out of the refrigerator. He took some wheat bread out of a package. " I make a great grill cheese sandwich". He started to butter the bread.
" Sometimes I make stupid mistakes and I feel as if I'm here by accident".
" That is not true" the old man replied as he put the cheese slices in the middle of the bread slices. He put one on a small grill on the stove. " I know for a fact you are not here by accident".
Nicholas gave him a strange look. " How do you know that?".
He flipped the sandwich over. " Because I made you".
" You mean you are the Creator?".
" I go by many names" he replied as he put the now completed sandwich on a plate and put it in front of Nicholas. " Creator is one of them".
" So you said I'm not an accident".
He sat down after making himself a sandwich. " I conceived you in my mind way before your parents did".
" The way I look too".
" Of course" he replied as he bit into his sandwich. " I chose your race, skin color, features and the special talents that you have".
" Even when I was born".
" Your date of birth and death, I decided a long time ago". He grinned at Nicholas. " I never leave out details".
Nicholas yawned and looked at his watch.
" You look tired" the Creator said as he put their dirty dishes in the dishwasher. " Why don't you come back in the morning and we'll talk some more".
" Ok".


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The Sheep and the Goats page 2

The Sheep and the Goats page 2 by ric Gustafson


Louie kneeled but noticed that some people on the left were not.
The archangel raised an outstretched arm to quiet the masses. " The time has come to avenge the blood of the martyrs".
Jesus cried out in a loud voice " the time has come to reward my faithful servants and to punish those who have harmed them".
Those on Jesus's left began to shout " Jesus is the Christ, Jesus is the Christ".
Jesus stood up and walked to the left edge of the platform. He pointed to those on his left. " Depart from me you cursed into the everlasting fire I have prepared  for the devil and his angels".
The masses on the left cried back " No Lord No".
" I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink". Jesus paused. " I was naked and you did not clothe me, I was in prison and you did not visit me.
The masses on his left again cried out " when did all these happen?".
" When you did not do it to the least of these" he said as he pointed to those on his right. " You did not do it to me".
The masses on the left yelled again " we love you Lord, we do love you".
Jesus sat down on the platform chair. " My Father has given me authority to execute judgment and my judgment is righteousness".
The masses to his left pleaded " No Lord No".
Jesus, with tears in his eyes, raised one finger and a chasm to the left of the platform opened wide. Those on the left fell in cursing and yelling. Just as quickly, the ground closed and returned to normal.

The End


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A Life Of Purpose page 1

A Life Of Purpose page 1 by ric Gustafson


I walked up the long concrete sidewalk past some small houses that were well taken care of. As I walked, doubt clouded my mind. I was depressed and felt sad a lot. Inside, I felt that I had no purpose in life. I had just lost my job and had difficulties in my marriage. A friend told me to go to 4344 Elm Street. They told me to ask the person living there for some advice and reassurance.
I noticed the address and then stopped. There was a small white picket fence surrounding a small but well kept up two story white house. There was a front porch with a rocking chair and next to the right side of the house was the most beautiful garden I had ever seen. Watering some red roses was a gray haired gentleman. He had on a white t shirt, white shorts and a straw hat.
" Hello Nicholas". He smiled as he kept watering the roses. " How are you doing this evening?".
I scratched my chin. " How did you know my name was Nicholas?".
" I know everything about you". He chuckled. " Do you like my flowers?".
" Their beautiful".
" I love working on them". He walked over and turned off the water. " Especially in the early evening when it is cooler out".
He walked over and sat down in the rocking chair. " Nicholas, what can I do for you?".
" I wanted to ask you a question?".
" And what question is that?".
I looked right at him. " Why am I here?".


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the sheep and the goats page 1

the sheep and the goats page 1 by ric Gustafson


Louie Anders was walking down a huge glorious highway. At one point, he looked back and saw people as far as he could see.
" Louie".
He turned and did not see anybody. He kept walking.
" Louie".
He turned again and then realized who was talking to him. " Yes Lord".
" When you reach a high platform where I am sitting, join those on my right".
" Ok". He started walking and then eventually stopped at a point where everyone was either going left or right. He walked to the right and stopped next to a large platform. Angels and heavenly hosts were standing below praising God. He noticed a huge throne on the platform and then grinned as he noticed who was sitting in it.
Jesus smiled at Louie and those standing on his right. It took quite a while for the millions upon millions to find their place either to the left or right of the platform.
One of the archangels who sat on either side of Jesus stood up and walked over to the edge of the platform. " Worship the Lord of Lords".
Everyone to the left or right went down on their knees. " Jesus Christ is Lord".


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Simon the sorcerer

Simon the sorcerer by ric Gustafson


Simon threw the stick on the ground and it became a snake. The crowd clapped it's approval. He took the same stick, struck a rock and water came out. He smiled knowing the people of this Samaritan village adored him and his little magic tricks. People nicknamed him the ' the Great Wizard'. He loved being the most famous one in town. One day as he was performing a trick, a young man walked up to him.
" The Kingdom of God is at hand, I come in the name of Jesus Christ".
Simon found out that the young man's name was Phillip and that he was a follower of the Rabbi from Galilee who was crucified.
Lots of the townspeople were baptized by Phillip and did not care about Simon any longer.
Simon decided himself to be baptized by Phillip. After doing so, he followed Phillip everywhere.
Peter and John came and prayed for the newly baptized might receive the Holy Spirit. They put their hands on the townspeople and the Holy Spirit came upon them.
Simon approached the two apostles. " I will give you money if you will bestow me the ability of the Holy Spirit".
Peter spoke up. " You can't buy the gift of God with money".
Simon looked at them. " Pray to the Lord for me".
Peter and John returned to Jerusalem preaching the gospel.

The End


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Booth's Revenge page 2

Booth's Revenge page 2 by ric Gustafson


It was April 1 1865 and Abraham Lincoln only had fourteen days to live. He standing on the upper deck of the steamboat River Queen. The steamboat was docked at City Point which was a bustling Virginia port. People had told him about having a bodyguard but he did not believe in them. The war had taken a toll on his body and now his face had fissures, contours and sunken cheeks.
His top advisors had been warning him about the possibility of an assassination. At six foot four, he was rail thin with a bearded chin and an interesting nose.
He knew that he was an easy target but he was not afraid. He was a man of faith and knew that God would guide him.
As dawn came, Abraham Lincoln only had thirteen days to live.


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the road to Emmaus page 3

the road to Emmaus page 3 by ric Gustafson


As they walked, Cleopas and his friend listened as the stranger explained many things to them. Beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he told them things concerning himself  in all the Scriptures.
The stranger looked up to see that they were approaching the village. " I'm traveling farther down the road".
Cleopas's friend spoke up. " Stay with us for it is getting toward evening and the day is now nearly over".
The stranger agreed and he entered their house. They reclined at a table. The stranger took bread, blessed it and then broke it. He handed them pieces of the bread.
Cleopas's eyes and the eyes of his friend were suddenly opened. At that moment, the recognized the stranger as Jesus. Just as suddenly, Jesus vanished from their sight.
The two of them that very night returned to Jerusalem and told the others that they had seen the Lord.

The End


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Booth's Revenge page 1

Booth's Revenge page 1 by ric Gustafson


It was Saturday March 4 1865 and Abraham Lincoln only had six weeks to live. As he walked out of the Capital Building, he was exhausted. He was about to take the oath of office for a second term and it was pouring rain. His new Vice President Andrew Johnson had just delivered a twenty minute speech rambling about the South. He stepped up to the podium and delivered an appeal for reunification with the South. He was energized despite his exhaustion.
A few feet from the President was a twenty six year old listening intently to the speech, John Wilkes Booth was a young man with a rakish smile and a debonair gaze. He was handsome, witty and a Broadway stage actor. By his side was a young woman named Lucy Hale. She did not know that Booth was a Confederate sympathizer and had a hatred for Lincoln and the North. As he listened to Lincoln's speech, rage and injustice entered his mind.


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the road to Emmaus page 2

the road to Emmaus page 2 by ric Gustafson


" The things about Jesus the Nazarene who was a prophet mighty in deed and word in the sight of God and all the people".
His friend spoke up. " The chief priests and our rulers delivered him to the sentence of death and crucified him".
Cleopas sighed. " We were hoping that it was he who was going to redeem Israel".
" And then something happened?".
" What happened?" Jesus replied.
Cleopas scratched his chin. " After three days, some of the women went to the tomb early in the morning and did not find his body".
" The women said that they had seen a vision of angels who told them that he was alive". His friend grinned at Jesus. " Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it exactly as the women had said".
Jesus looked at the two with loving eyes. " O foolish men and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken, was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and to enter into his glory".


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the road to Emmaus page 1

the road to Emmaus page 1 by ric Gustafson


Cleopas and his friend walked along the dusty road and knew that they were near the village of Emmaus. The village was about seven miles from Jerusalem and both of them were tired and sad. They had just witnessed the brutal death of their teacher and savior. They were discussing that as they walked. They came up to a crossroads. Cleopas looked to his left to see a young man approaching. He had a dark beard and gave each of them a smile.
" Would you mind if I walk with you toward the village?".
" No". The three of them started to walk down the road.
As they walked, Jesus listened to their conversation.
Cleopas wondered if he had seen the stranger before. He could not place his face.
" What are these words that you are exchanging with one another as you walk?".
Both men stopped and stared at the stranger. There was confusion on their faces.
Cleopas spoke up. " Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem and unaware of the things which have happened here in these days?".
Jesus looked at their bewildered faces. " What things?".


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Taxman 5 page 2

Taxman 5 page 2 by ric Gustafson


Matthew directed the servant where to set up the long low table. The table was being set up  for his special guests who were coming for dinner tonight. Jesus, who came to his tax booth earlier in the day, was coming tonight along with his disciples. The Rabbi earlier in the day simply walked up to his tax booth and simply said " follow me". He was hopeful that the Rabbi would not mind that some of his tax collector friends were also coming to dinner tonight.
Later that night, Matthew introduced his friends to Jesus. Some Pharisees who were also there were horrified by what they saw. They noticed that Jesus was talking and dining with Matthew's friends.
One of the Pharisees tapped Peter on the shoulder. " Why is your Teacher eating with the tax collectors and sinners?".
Jesus overheard what they were saying. " It is not those who are healthy who need a physician but those who are sick". He looked at the Pharisees. " I did not come to call the righteous but sinners".

The End


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Taxman 5 page 1

Taxman 5 page 1 by ric Gustafson


Matthew grabbed the tunic of the man and shook him. " Give me what you still owe on the house".
" Here" the small man replied as he threw some coins at the tax collectors feet.
Matthew smiled as he walked away palming the coins. It had become a profitable day. As a public tax collector, a certain percentage of what he got had to go to Caesar. After that, everything else went into his pocket.
It was early afternoon, the weather was hot and business was slow. As he sat in his dark cool booth, he counted his money. As he counted, he noticed a stranger walking down the road toward his booth. The stranger wore a tunic woven from top to bottom. He had a dark beard and carried a walking stick.
Matthew went back to counting his money. All of a sudden, he looked up to see the stranger standing in front of his booth smiling.
" Follow me" said the stranger. He began to walk away.
A strange feeling came over Matthew that he could not explain. He stood up, took a look at the piles of money on his table and then opened the door of his booth. He ran after the stranger.


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Taxman 4

Taxman 4 by ric Gustafson


The Publican quietly entered the Temple. He was nervous because he thought people might recognize him. Because he was a tax collector, people shunned him and usually ignored him. He knew he was in the presence of God and felt uncomfortable there. He walked over to a corner of the Temple and kept his head down. He felt remorse for all the sins that he had committed and felt unworthy to even look up at God. He cried and beat his chest with his fist. " God, be merciful to me a sinner".



The Pharisee walked into the Temple and saw other worshippers there. He frowned at them as he walked to a nearby corner. He noticed a man in another corner with his head down. It was a tax collector. He frowned at that thought. " God, I thank you that I am not like other people". He said this as he looked up. " Like swindlers, unjust, those who commit adultery or even that tax collector over there". " I fast twice a week" he said with a smile as his eyes looked up again. " I pay tithes of all that I get".

The End


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Taxman 3

Taxman 3 by ric Gustafson


The two men walked through the narrow streets of Capernaum. They were quietly searching for a specific house. The men worked for the Temple and their job was to collect the two drachma tax which was due annually. They were looking for a specific house because they knew the Teacher was staying there.
As the two approached the house, they noticed somebody in front of it. They recognized him as one of the Teacher's followers. The two walked up to Simon Peter. " Does your Teacher pay the two drachma tax?".
" Yes". He walked into the house.
" What do you think Simon, from whom do the kings of the earth collect customs or a poll tax".
Jesus asked this as he stood by the door. " Do you think they collect it from their sons or from strangers?".
Simon Peter thought for a moment. " From strangers".
Jesus looked at Peter. " Then the sons are exempt". Then Jesus saw the two men standing nervously outside the front door. Jesus smiled at Peter. " Since we do not want to offend them, go to the sea, throw in a hook and open the mouth of the first fish you catch". Jesus grinned. " There you will find a coin". He hugged Peter. " Give it to the men for you and me". The two men went with Simon Peter to the sea. The first fish Peter caught had a coin in it's mouth. He gave the coin to the men and they went on their way satisfied.

The End


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Taxman 2 page 2

Taxman 2 page 2 by ric Gustafson


Zacchaeus ran down the road as fast as his little legs could take him. He started to climb up but had trouble because of his short stature. He climbed to a point where nobody could see him but he could see the Rabbi.
Zacchaeus's heart was racing as he noticed the Rabbi and the crowd approaching. There was something about this Rabbi that was stirring in his heart. He got nervous as the crowd and the Rabbi were right underneath the tree. Then something spectacular happened. Jesus stopped right in his tracks and looked up at Zacchaeus.
" Zacchaeus, come down right away". He smiled at the short tax collector. " I must stay at your house today".
I quickly came down and hugged the Rabbi.
The crowd began to murmur. " The Rabbi has gone to be the guest of a tax collector".
Zacchaeus hugged Jesus again. " Lord, right here I will give half of my things to the poor". He smiled at Jesus. " And if I have cheated anyone out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount".
Jesus smiled at Zacchaeus. " Today salvation has come to this house for the son of man came to seek and save what was lost".

The End


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Taxman 2 page 1

Taxman 2 page 1 by ric Gustafson


Zacchaeus ran up to the crowd gathering along the road. He tried to elbow his way through the crowd. Fellow tax collectors had been telling him about this Rabbi named Jesus. The more they told him, the more he was intrigued about him. One day, Zacchaeus heard that the Rabbi was going to be traveling through town. On that day, he left his tax booth early and went looking for the Rabbi.
Zacchaeus knew he was going to lose money by leaving his booth early but he did not care. Something inside his heart was stirring. He wanted to see the Rabbi for himself. As he neared the crowd, he knew from the noise that the Rabbi was coming closer. Because he was short in statue, he tried to elbow his way through the crowd to no avail.
The crowd pushed Zacchaeus back because he was short and also because they knew who he was.
" Get back to your tax booth, you louse".
Zacchaeus heard the Rabbi approaching. He knew that he had to do something drastic. He looked down the road and noticed a huge sycamore tree up ahead.


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Taxman page 4

Taxman page 4 by ric Gustafson


Eamon took the denarius that was in his hand and showed it to Jesus.
" Who's inscription is on it?".
The two stared at each other. " Caesar's".
" Then give to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's".
Jesus sat down with his followers.
Eamon walked away.
Tears began to form in Julius's eyes. He walked up to Jesus. " I'm sorry, we tried to trick you".
" I know". Jesus got up and hugged the young man. " Go and tell Caiaphas your faith has saved you".
Julius walked alone into Caiaphas's court and noticed the Chief Priest and his servant Malchus sitting at a table.
" Back so soon" Caiaphas said with a grin. " Were you able to trick him?".
" No". Julius threw his wages at the Chief Priest's feet. " I will not try to trick an innocent man".
Caiaphas frowned. " What does that have to do with me?".
" For you nothing" the young man said as he walked toward the door. " For me everything".

The End


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Jesus Calling February 2

Jesus Calling February 2 by ric Gustafson


Romans 12:2 says to be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Jesus wants to renew our minds. Our thoughts tend to move toward problems in our lives. When our focus is on negative things, our energy is drained away. When this happens, we lose sight of Jesus.
Jesus wants our renewed mind to always be on him. Jesus wants to train our minds to focus on him in every moment and every situation.
Jesus wants us to seek his face, speak to him and he will light up our mind.


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Taxman page 3

Taxman page 3 by ric Gustafson


The next morning, the two set out to find the Rabbi. They walked for a while and could not find him. A short time later, Julius saw the Rabbi and some of his followers sitting under a large sycamore tree talking to themselves.
As they approached the Rabbi, he looked at them with a grin on his face as if he already knew what they were about to do.
Eamon walked up to the Rabbi. " Teacher". He hesitated not knowing what to say next.
Julius took a coin from his pocket and put it into his friend's hand.
" Teacher, my friend and I know that what you speak and teach is right and true".
Jesus looked at the two men.
Eamon felt the coin in his hand. " Teacher, is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?".
Jesus grinned because he knew what they were trying to do.
Jesus put his hand out. " Show me a coin".


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seven deadly sins: Pride page 1

seven deadly sins: Pride page 1 by ric Gustafson


Ben Halsteen walked into his spacious new office that had been given to him recently. He sat down in his new black swivel chair. He grinned and looked around at the new office the company just gave him. He walked around the large room as pride entered his heart. There was a knock on the door. His new secretary Marlene poked her head in.
" Mr Firestone would like to see you in his office".
He walked down a plaque filled hallway and knocked on his bosses door.
Rose, Mr Firestone's secretary, sat down at her desk. " Ben, he's waiting for you". He knocked again.
" Come in".
He walked into a very spacious office that was filled by pictures and stuffed animal heads that were on the walls.
Howard Firestone got up from his office chair and walked over to Ben. " Thanks for coming on short notice". He pointed to a chair that was next to his desk. " Please have a seat".
Ben glanced at the animal heads. " I take it you like to hunt".
" I love to hunt because it's a way for me to relieve stress and anger". He smiled at his employee. " Ben, you should try it sometime".
" No thanks" he replied as he shook his head. " I'd rather work out myself". He stared at his boss. " Mr Firestone, I'm curious as to why you wanted to see me".
Howard gave Ben a serious look. " I'll get right to the point".


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Taxman page 2

Taxman page 2 by ric Gustafson


" How long have you been standing there? Caiaphas asked.
Eamon and Julius knelt and bowed their heads.
" A short time" Julius replied.
" We saw your sign and came in" Eamon exclaimed.
The Chief Priest grinned at the two. " So you saw my sign for work I see".
One of the priests reached over and whispered into Caiaphas's ear.
" We are looking for two men like yourselves to do some work for us". Caiaphas smiled at the two men. " Are you interested?".
Eamon and Julius could hear their stomachs growling. " We agree".
" Good" the Chief Priest said as he clapped his hands with joy. " Here is what we want you to do".
One of the priests spoke up. " There is a Rabbi from Galilee named Jesus that we want to trick into saying something we can arrest him for".
" Do it anyway you wish as long as you can trick him". Caiaphas threw a bag of coins at their feet. " Now go".


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