Battlefield of the Mind: the condition of our mind

 Battlefield of the Mind: the condition of our mind by ric gustafson

According to I Corinthians 2, we have the mind of Christ. We struggle with worried thoughts. Sometimes it's easy to listen to God speak to us. Other times, it is easy to worry and have anxiety. We are to walk in faith. When we worry, we are not walking in faith. It is easy to think wrong. According to Romans 12, God has called us to renew our minds. It is an ongoing process. Jesus says think good, honorable and loving thoughts. Jesus loves us more than anything else.

research help: ' Battlefield of the Mind devotional' by Joyce Meyer

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

J Lennon page 22

 J Lennon page 22 by ric gustafson

On August 27 1967, the phone rings. It was the worst news the band could hear. Their manager Brian Epstein had died from an overdose of sleeping pills. John was devastated. In his life, his mother, his Uncle George, his close friend Stu and now the band's manager had died. Fearing a mob scene, the band did not attend Epstein's funeral.

One day, Paul had an idea for a TV movie. His idea was for the band and a cast of characters would take a bus tour across the English countryside. It was to be called ' Magical Mystery Tour'. Paul and John wrote 6 songs for the English album. The album became successful in England and America. On December 26 1967, the movie aired. For the first time in the band's history, the reviews were horrible. US stations decided not to air it. Paul had to defend it.

research help: ' The Last Days of John Lennon' by James Patterson

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

J Lennon page 21

 J Lennon page 21 by ric gustafson

On May 28 1967, Beatles manager Brian Epstein was hosting a release party. The band's new album was called ' Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band' . Epstein was having the party at his new country home. Paul did not attend but the other three did. John arrived in a 1964 Rolls Royce. The band was in a good mood. The new album had soared to the top in England and America.

On June 25 1967, the band participated in the first worldwide satellite broadcast. But first they needed a new song to broadcast. Paul wrote a song called ' Your Mother Should Know'. John wrote a song called ' All You Need Is Love'. John's song won. Four hundred million listened to the new Lennon song.

With the new album and the broadcast, things were looking up for the band.

research help: ' The Last Days of John Lennon' by James Patterson

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

God's Promises: his faithfulness

 God's Promises: his faithfulness by ric gustafson

There is a famous hymn called ' Great Is Thy Faithfulness'. God promises us his goodness and faithfulness. God, who is the Creator of heaven and earth, has always been and will always be faithful to his people. To be his people you must have his Son Jesus as your Savior and Lord. Jesus will always be with you. Jesus will never fail you. You can have Jesus's strength and his peace.

research help: ' God's Promises for New Believers' by Jack Countryman

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

I Me Mine: Taxman

 I Me Mine: Taxman by ric gustafson

Let me tell you how it will be there is one for you nineteen for me

cause I'm the Taxman Yes I'm the Taxman

What was the inspiration for this song?. George Harrison realized that even though they had started making money, most of it was going away for taxes. Most of it was going into the Treasury. At the time, the band was going through a bad time money wise. They were in the top tax bracket. 

John Lennon helped his bandmate complete the song's lyrics.

research help: ' I Me Mine' by George Harrison  Wikipedia

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

God's Promises: a source of strength

 God's Promises: a source of strength by ric gustafson

Physical strength is important. More important is spiritual strength. We need to stay faithful to God. Where does this spiritual strength come from?. It comes from the Holy Spirit. When we became followers of God, the Holy Spirit came inside of us. God has promised to be our Fortress, Rock and our Deliverer. We can trust the Spirit. It is our source of strength.

Praise God's name.

research help: ' God's Promises for New Believers' by Jack Countryman

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

Battlefield of the Mind: a transformed mind

 Battlefield of the Mind: a transformed mind by ric gustafson

To be transformed, it must be from the inside. It must involve our personality, our being and our mind. Romans 12:2 says but be transformed by the renewal of your mind. We must be presented to God as a living sacrifice. We are to live as believers. God wants us to have a life of righteousness, peace and joy. With a transformed mind, we can see God's will for us. We have to think differently. We need a disciplined mind. We must be in agreement with God's Word not Satan. It starts with right thoughts.

research help: ' Battlefield of the Mind devotional' by Joyce Meyer

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

J Lennon page 20

 J Lennon page 20 by ric gustafson

John walked into the Mayfair gallery. John Dunbar had invited him. John was tired. He had been working on a song called ' Strawberry Fields Forever'. When John walked into the gallery, he noticed someone setting up an exhibition. She was wearing a black sweater, black pants and had long black hair. Dunbar introduced John to the artist.

" I'm John Lennon".

" I'm Yoko Ono".

" Can you show me around?".

She showed John one of her other exhibits.

" This is called ' Ceiling Painting'".

John smiled. He climbed up a white stepladder. He looked at a small card suspended from the ceiling. The word ' Yes' was written on the card. John smiled as he came back down the stepladder.

He grinned at Yoko. " That was fantastic".

She blushed, " Thank you".

As the day went on, John could not get her out of his mind.

research help: ' The Last Days of John Lennon' by James Patterson

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

I Me Mine: Something

 I Me Mine: Something by ric gustafson

Something in the way she moves attracts me like no other lover Something in the way she woos me I don't want to leave her now You know I believe and how

Something was written on the piano, We were making the ' White Album'. There was a break in the recording session. I went into an empty studio and wrote it. The middle took a while to do. There has been at least 150  cover versions. When I wrote it I had Ray Charles in my mind singing it. Later, it was put on ' Abbey Road'. It became a double A side single along wirh ' Come Together'. 

Along with ' Here Comes The Sun', these two songs marked Harrison's rise as composer to the level of Paul McCartney and John Lennon.

research help: ' I Me Mine' by George Harrison and Wikipedia

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

J Lennon page 19

 J Lennon page 19 by ric gustafson

On August 5 1966, the band releases an album named ' Revolver'. The first two singles released are ' Eleanor Rigby' and ' Yellow Submarine'. A 14 city concert tour was planned to begin in America.

Big trouble for the band was brewing. On August 12, John Lennon faced 3 dozen reporters about a comment he had made. He said that the band was bigger than Jesus. In Birmingham Alabama, disc jockeys Doug Layton and Tommy Charles organized Beatle album burnings. 

The band did the concert stops despite warnings not to. On Friday August 19, the band was scheduled to do two shows in Memphis Tennessee. On August 10, local leaders told the band they were not welcome. During the second show, a cherry bomb exploded at the feet of drummer Ringo Starr.

On August 29, the band played their final concert at San Francisco's Candlestick Park. As the band quickly left the venue in an armored car, they were relieved.

The band was tired of touring.

research help: ' The Last Days of John Lennon' by James Patterson

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

J Lennon page 18

 J Lennon page 18 by ric gustafson

Mark Chapman walked up to the curly haired brunette.

She shakes his hand. " I'm Jude Stein".

Chapman chuckles. " Hey Jude don't make it bad".

Her friend groans. " I'm Jeri Moll".

" I'm Mark Chapman". He smiled. " I just came from Hawaii".

Jeri frowned. " Why did you do that?".

" I was hoping to get an autograph from my idol".

Jude smiled. " One time we got to go up to their apartment".

" John and Yoko's?".

" Yes". Jude grinned. " It was October and we had presents for John and Sean".

Jeri stared at Chapman. " Have you listened to Double Fantasy?".

Chapman frowned. " Not yet".

" If you get a copy". Jude smiled. " I'm sure he'll sign it".

Chapman thought for a moment. " That's a good idea". He walked away to find a record store.

Jude looked at Jeri. " He's strange".

Jeri looked at her friend. " You can say that again".

research help: ' The Last Days of John Lennon' by James Patterson

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

J Lennon page 17

 J Lennon page 17 by ric gustafson

In March of 1965, the band was as busy as ever. The band had started filming their second feature film. It was called ' Help'. Events were happening in the personal lives of the band. Ringo married his girlfriend Maureen Cox. John was living with Cynthia and his 2 year old son Julian. George was living with his girlfriend Pattie Boyd. Paul was still living in London.

One night while having a dream, a song began in Paul's mind. He woke up, got up and then sat down at a piano. He wrote down the chords. He titled the new song ' Scrambled Eggs'. As they filmed ' Help', Paul kept working on the song. When he finished it, he showed it to George Martin. Martin suggested that Paul sing it solo with a string quartet. The song's title was changed to ' Yesterday'.

In the summer of 1965, the Rolling Stones had their first number one in America. It was called ' Satisfaction'.

By November of 1965, the Beatles had finished their next album. It was called ' Rubber Soul'.

research help: ' The Last Days of John Lennon' by James Patterson

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

J Lennon page 16

 J Lennon page 16 by ric gustafson

In March of 1964, ' Can't Buy Me Love' was number 1 in England and America. This was the song John and Paul were working on while the band was in Miami. It certified gold before it was released. It sold 2 million copies in it's first week.

The band's next project was a film. It was to be called ' A Hard Day's Night'. In 24 hours, John and Paul came up with a title track. 

On June 11, the band arrived in Sydney Australia. Huge crowds awaited them. They performed songs from their new soundtrack. On July 6, the band attended the premiere of ' A Hard Day's Night'. The movie opened to great reviews and a nice profit.

Huge crowds in London and Liverpool greeted the band. In August of 1964, the band was ready to return to America. They performed 26 shows in America and Canada.

Beatlemania was starting to get out of control.

research help: ' The Last Days of John Lennon' by James Patterson

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

J Lennon page 15

 J Lennon page 15 by ric gustafson

On Feb 16 1964, the Beatles arrive in Miami Florida. A crowd of five thousand were there to greet them. Between Feb 7 and the 16th, the band had been very busy. They performed on the Ed Sullivan show to an audience of 73 million. They received 2 gold records. They performed 2 shows at Carnegie Hall.

On Feb 18, the band met 22 year old Cassius Clay. He was an Olympic gold medalist boxer. He was in training to fight heavyweight champion Sonny Liston. On Feb 25, Clay dethroned Liston.

While in Miami, John and Paul began to write a song. It was called ' Can't Buy Me Love'.

When the band returned home, they celebrated George Harrison's 21st birthday.

The band began their next project.

research help: ' The Last Days of John Lennon' by James Patterson

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

Battlefield of the Mind: be careful what you think

 Battlefield of the Mind: be careful what you think by ric gustafson

In order to win the battlefield in our mind, we need to focus our attention. We need to meditate on God's Word. Then we will become stronger and win more victories. We can take a chapter or verse of God's Word and meditate deeply on what we are reading. What we focus on, we become. Be careful what you think about. As we grow more in Jesus, we will win the battle of our mind.

Jesus loves us more than anything else.

research help: ' Battlefield of the Mind devotional' by Joyce Meyer

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

J Lennon page 14

 J Lennon page 14 by ric gustafson

It was Feb 7 1964. John yawned as he looked at his wife Cynthia. She was holding his son John Charles Julian. He was born in April 1963. They started calling him Julian right away.

The band was on a Pan Am flight heading to America. John was nervous. Capitol Records was really promoting the US shows. The record company printed five million the Beatles are coming stickers. Disc jockeys were given a stack of Beatles records to play. The press release described John as a 23 year old with a stern face. Also with them on the flight was Phil Spector.

John and Phil started talking about a new English band. The band was called the Rolling Stones. John had seen them play at a blues club called the Crawdaddy. John enjoyed watching Brian Jones playing the harmonica.

When the flight had reached their destination, the pilot wanted to tell the band one thing.

" Boys". He smiled. " There's a big crowd waiting for you".

research help: ' The Last Days of John Lennon' by James Patterson

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

Battlefield of the Mind: decide to believe

 Battlefield of the Mind: decide to believe by ric gustafson

Deciding to believe is a decision. We can enter a relationship with God or not. We can believe in Jesus or not. If we decide to believe, then it is a growing faith. When we become Christians, we are adopted into the family of God and receive the Spirit of adoption. Our faith will be tested. But we must hang on to our new faith and go forward. 

When we first believe, Satan will try to get us to doubt God's promises for us. There is never a stopping place for our spiritual growth. We take steps of faith. God does not want us to resist the Spirit. God says just obey. God does not explain everything to us.

God simply asks us to believe. I pray that we will.

God loves us more than anything else.

research help: ' Battlefield of the Mind devotional' by Joyce Meyer

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

God's Blessings: a stable foundation

 God's Blessings: a stable foundation by ric gustafson

Isaiah 40 says the grass withers the flower fades but the Word of God stands forever. Finding truth in God's Word will nourish our faith and grow our knowledge in God. God's Word will show us how to be God's child. God's Word is a foundation for a lifestyle God wishes for us. The path in this life is full of snares and pitfalls. God says read my Word. It will be a foundation for your life.

God loves you more than anything else.

research help: ' God's Promises for New Believers' by Jack Countryman

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

Battlefield of the Mind: hold your tongue

 Battlefield of the Mind: hold your tongue by ric gustafson

Psalm 34 says keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit. Some are given the gift of a ready tongue. Sometimes people say hold your tongue. We can control our tongues. We have a choice. We can hurt people with our words. Or we can subject our lips to God. Our words are an expression of our hearts. God will help us keep our lips from evil. God wants to change us. 

God loves us more than anything else.

research help: ' Battlefield of the Mind devotional' by Joyce Meyer

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

J Lennon page 13

 J Lennon page 13 by ric gustafson

Mark Chapman walked out of the YMCA. It was only a few blocks to the Dakota. As he was walking, he felt disgusted. John Lennon's face was everywhere. His face was on newstands, record stores and billboards. As he walked up to the revival style building, his first impression was fear. The cast iron black gargoyles and the gaslit entryway scared him. Now it was no big deal.

Chapman sat down on a parkbench across the street from the Dakota. He could see up to the seventh floor where Lennon lived. He knew everything about the Dakota. He noticed three people out in front of the building. One was Jay the doorman. The other two were females. Chapman figured the two were patiently waiting for Lennon to come out and hopefully sign their copies of Lennon's new album. The album was called ' Double Fantasy'. 

Chapman quietly sat and waited.

research help:' The Last Days of John Lennon' by James Patterson

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

J Lennon page 12

 J Lennon page 12 by ric gustafson

In Jan 1963, George Martin was right. ' Please Please Me' became the Beatles number one song. Right away in Feb 1963, the band recorded ten more songs. Some were Lennon McCartney originals. Some were R and B covers including ' Twist and Shout'. They decided to name the album after their first number one.

In November of 1963, the second Beatles album ' With The Beatles' was released. The album was released the same day President Kennedy was killed.

In Jan of 1964, the British Press gave the band the news they were hoping for. On Jan 13 1964, their single ' I Want To Hold Your Hand' was released in America. After just three days, the single had sold over 250,000 copies. On Jan 17, Capitol Records informed the band that ' I Want To Hold Your Hand' was the number one single in America.

To celebrate, the band had a huge pillow fight.

research help: ' The Last Days of John Lennon' by James Patterson

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

J Lennon page 11

 J Lennon page 11 by ric gustafson

On September 4 1962 after playing Hamburg for the last time, the Beatles had a meeting with George Martin.

Their producer had seen Record Retailer. " Love Me Do' is 46".

Later, Martin saw the NME. " Love Me Do is 27".

The band is estatic.

" I think". Martin smiled. " You should make an album".

John frowned. " Covers?".

" No". Martin grinned. " An album of your own songs".

John turned to Paul. " How should we handle the songwriting credit?".

" Any idea?".

" How about Lennon and McCartney?".

Paul didn't mind. " That's ok".

On November 26 1962, the band records ' Please Please Me' and ' Ask Me Why'.

After hearing ' Please Please Me', George Martin smiled at the band.

" Gentlemen, you have your first number one record".

research help: ' The Last Days of John Lennon' by James Patterson

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

Battlefield of the Mind: a waiting God

 Battlefield of the Mind: a waiting God by ric gustafson

Isaiah 30 says the Lord waits to be gracious to you. Jesus waits for us. Jesus waits for us to ask him for help. Jesus wants to show us love. Satan tries to establish a stronghold. He tells us about our failures and our shortcomings. Even though we think negative about ourselves, Jesus still wants to love and bless us. 

Jesus wants to bless us. Inside, we think we don't deserve that. Jesus gives us his love and his blessings daily. Jesus loves us more than anything else.

research help: ' Battlefield of the Mind devotional' by Joyce Meyer

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

Battlefield of the Mind: a positive belief

 Battlefield of the Mind: a positive belief by ric gustafson

We come up with bright ideas for our lives. They are plans of our own. We hope God will bless them. These plans of ours will lead us to chaos and confusion. Then the results of our plans must be dealt with. 

We must obey God's plans for our life not our own. We must pray and obey God's plan for us. God promises good things to those who serve him. Our goodness may not be God's. Getting what we want may not be good for us. Do not give up God's plans. Good things will happen.

God loves us more than anything else.

research help: ' Battlefield of the Mind devotional' by Joyce Meyer

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

J Lennon page 10

 J Lennon page 10 by ric gustafson

On June 6 1962, the band brought their equipment into EMI Studio 2. The studio had sight screens and a control room at the end of an endless hallway. The band was going to record four songs picked by Parlophone.

A man named Chris Neal operated the tape machine. As they were taping a song named ' Love Me Do' they were stopped by a tall and dapper man in his thirties.

" I'm George Martin head of Parlophone".

John spoke up. " How do you like this song Mr Martin?".

" I don't". He frowned. " I have a few issues with it".

" Like what?".

" First of all, you should not sing the title line and play the harmonica".

John scratched his chin. " What would you suggest?".

" I suggest that Paul sings the title line".

The band works on the song take after take. Eventually, the band leaves.

George Martin walks up to the control room. He notices Producer Ron Richards. " Well Ron, what do you think?".

" The band needs to change their drummer".

research help: ' The Last Days of John  Lennon' by James Patterson

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

Battlefield of the Mind: ready minds

Battlefield of the Mind: ready minds by ric gustafson

What is it to have a ready mind?. We need to be open to God. We need to be willing to hear what God needs to tell us. This can be good or bad news. God also wants us to be obedient to what he says. We need to tell God that we were wrong. We need to be willing to turn away from Satan and his ways. We need to discern whose voice is speaking to us. Satan tries to tell us God's message is not important. 

God says have a ready mind and receive my grace. God loves us more than anything else.

research help: ' Battlefield of the Mind devotional' by Joyce Meyer

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

God's Promises: a guide for life

 God's Promises: a guide for life by ric gustafson

God loves us more than anything else. He has given us a guide for life. Psalm 119 says your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. That guide is the Bible. God wants us to be students of that guide. John 8 says if you abide in my Word you are my disciples. We need to grow in our faith. God wants us to get to know him more and more. Psalm 32 says I will instruct and teach you in the way you should go. 

research help: ' God's Promises for New Believers' by Jack Countryman

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

God's Promises: deed of inheritance

 God's Promises: deed of inheritance by ric gustafson

When we accepted Jesus as our Savior, we became a Christian. Jesus died on a cross and took the punishment for our sins. When we accepted Jesus, we became a member of God's family. We became one of God's adopted children. When we accepted Jesus, we gained eternal life in heaven.

Romans 8 says that we are children of God and heirs of God. According to Ephesians 1, we have obtained an inheritance and sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise.

God loves us more than anything else.

research help: ' God's Promises for New Believers' by Jack Countryman

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

J Lennon page 9

 J Lennon page 9 by ric gustafson

On December 27 1961, the Beatles had a Christmas concert at the Cavern. The news they heard that day was good and bad. The good news was that Mersey Beat magazine had named the band the top band in Liverpool. The bad news that night was that their drummer Pete Best was sick. All three had the same idea. Let's ask Ringo Starr of Rory Storm and the Hurricanes to sit in.

In Jan 1962, Brian Epstein met with execs from Decca. In the executive dining room, he is greeted by Dick Rowe, Steve Beecher Stevens and Arthur Kelland.

Trouble began. Rowe did not like the band's sound. 

" This band". Epstein could not believe what he was hearing. " This band is ready to explode".

" Mr Epstein, you have a good record business here in Liverpool".

" Good record business". He showed them his copy of Mersey Beat. " This band who you don't like was voted the best band in Liverpool".

research help: ' The Last Days of John Lennon' by James Patterson

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

Battlefield of the Mind: negativity

 Battlefield of the Mind: negativity by ric gustafson

Why are we negative?. Negativity is hard to deal with. Satan tries to make us pessimistic. We cry out to the Holy Spirit to search our hearts. We live in this world. We need the Holy Spirit to help us grasp why we have negative thinking. Satan attacks us where we are weak. We all have weaknesses. We all have weaknesses to conquer. The Holy Spirit will point our weaknesses to us. 

The Holy Spirit the Helper will help us. God loves us more than anything else.

research help: ' Battlefield of the Mind devotional' by Joyce Meyer

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

Battlefield of the Mind: no more excuses

 Battlefield of the Mind: no more excuses by ric gustafson

We try to justify who we are. That way we do not have to change. Satan tells us that we do not have to change. If that is the mindset we have in our minds, Satan has already won the battle. Satan gives us many reasons not to change. Satan does not want us to confront the truth.

As new Christians, we are a new creation of God. Our past is wiped away, Our new Christian life is now change and growth. We must face our problems and move onward. We must face them without excuses. God tells us to stop no more excuses. God loves us more than anything else.

research help: ' Battlefield of the Mind devotional' by Joyce Meyer

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

Battlefield of the Mind: getting what we want

 Battlefield of the Mind: getting what we want by ric gustafson

We know what we want. We like to get it. When we don't get what we want, negative feelings begin. When we don't get what we want, we make others miserable. It is inborn. 

As Christians, we expect life to be perfect and to go smoothly. We expect success, happiness and joy. When we don't get them, we grumble and complain. 

Satan tries to play with our minds. He tries to tell us negative things about ourselves. We have a choice. We can complain about our lives. We can also accept life the way it is and make the best of it. 

The secret to a Christian life is that we commit fully to God.  We must say your will for our life God not our will. God loves us more than anything else.

research help: ' Battlefield of the Mind devotional' by Joyce Meyer

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

Battlefield of the Mind: all things work for good

 Battlefield of the Mind: all things work for good by ric gustafson

Romans 8 says all things work together are for good. The apostle Paul was trying to bring us comfort and peace. He was trying to bring us hope that everything will work out for our good. God wants us to have Holy Spirit filled prayers. We must love God with all of our heart and we must want his will. We must submit to God's plans. We must remain steadfast. God wants to mold us to be like his Son.

God loves us more than anything else.

research help: ' Battlefield of the Mind devotional' by Joyce Meyer

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

J Lennon page 8

 J Lennon page 8 by ric gustafson

One day, while the group was playing a gig at the Cavern, George Harrison began to talk to a 27 year old store manager. His name was Brian Epstein. He worked at NEMS. Epstein asked how much they were making at the Cavern. After being told how much, he told the band he could make them a lot more.

Brian stared at John. " So the band is only making 75p each per night".

" Yes". John's voice hesitated. " It is above the normal rate at the Cavern".

" I can give you a lot more than that". He smiled. " Let's meet December 3rd".

At the meeting, Epstein began to talk percentages. " Ten, fifteen or twenty?".

John stared at Brian. " We have recorded original compositions with Tony Sheridan".

Brian looked at John. " You write your own music?".

Paul smiled. " We have already recorded three original songs".

" Fellas". Brian smiled. " You are going to be bigger than Elvis".

That's all John needed to hear.

" Brian". John grinned. " Manage us".

research help: ' The last days of John Lennon' by James Patterson

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

Battlefield of the Mind: a perfect plan

 Battlefield of the Mind: a perfect plan by ric gustafson

Has someone told you they have a perfect plan for your life?. We are not perfect. We are far from it. We make many mistakes each day. We have shortcomings. 

The truth is God has a special plan for each of us. It started with God saving us. He started a good work in us. We are God's handiwork. We are saved by God's grace. The Holy Spirit is always working in us. Because we are saved, we can do good works for God. Only Jesus can satisfy his Father's perfection. God is the perfect planner. God loves us more than anything else.

research help: ' Battlefield of the Mind devotional' by Joyce Meyer

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

J Lennon page 7

 J Lennon page 7 by ric gustafson

The Beatles walk onto a small stage. It is August 17 1960. It was the Indra Club in Hamburg Germany. There they will be working for Bruno Koschmider. He told them they will be playing between 4 and 6 hours a night. They will be playing for 48 nights.

They start their show at 8:00 pm. Drummer Pete Best tries to keep an even tempo. All the hours of singing made John's voice hurt. He was singing 12 hours a day.

When Allan Williams came back in October 1960, the band had changed. Playing all the time had made the group a lot better. They enjoyed spending time with a group called Rory Storm and the Hurricanes. Their drummer's name was Ringo Starr.

In Feb of 1961 after George Harrison turned 18, the group returned to Hamburg Germany. They began to play at a club called the Top Ten.

research help: ' The Last Days of John Lennon' by James Patterson

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

Battlefield of the Mind: positive minds

 Battlefield of the Mind: positive minds by ric gustafson

The fact is we are either positive or negative in our thoughts. If our mind is positive we will think positive thoughts. If our mind thinks negative, we will have negative thoughts. We cry out to Jesus to help us, heal us and deliver us from problems. Negative thinking steals our faith. Negative thinkers are not happy. When we study God's Word, it helps us have positive thoughts and thinking. Jesus will free us from our negative thought stronghold. He will do that. Jesus loves us more than anything else.

research help: ' Battlefield of the Mind devotional' by Joyce Meyer

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric