an uncluttered Christian life: I John 5:21

 an uncluttered Christian life: I John 5:21 by ric gustafson

For our lives to go well, we need to keep God number one. We must strive to keep God number one. To strive, we must put effort into it. Instead of God, many things can become a priority. I John 5 says keep yourselves from idols and false gods.

It is easy to cling to what we have and lose what is most important. God says don't do that. We must keep God first always. God loves us more than anything else.

research help: ' The joy of an uncluttered life' by Joyce Meyer

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

Countdown 1960 page 3

 Countdown 1960 page 3 by ric gustafson

Day 289

Jan 25 1960

Massachusetts Senator John F Kennedy arrived at his first stop on his presidential campaign. The town was Nashua New Hampshire. Hundreds of Kennedy supporters waited patiently on a very cold Jan morning for a glimpse of Kennedy's motorcade. 

The motorcade stopped in front of city hall. Getting out of the motorcade, Senator Kennedy began shaking supporters hands. Senator Kennedy was wearing a dark wool overcoat.

Inside, Kennedy greeted the town's mayor. His name was Mario Vogge. Then Senator Kennedy held a news conference in the city hall's auditorium. He answered questions about Cuba and the primaries.

After the news conference, Kennedy walked along Main Street talking to people along the way. People had questions about the Soviets and the threat of nuclear war. The most important question being asked was about the economy. Nashua's economic growth had slowed. Union jobs were being pushed out. Coming in were cheaper wages. Kennedy listened.

When Jackie Kennedy found her husband, it was time to leave Nashau New Hampshire.

research help: ' Countdown 1960' by Chris Wallace and Mitch Weiss

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

Countdown 1960 page 2

 Countdown 1960 page 2 by ric gustafson

Vice President Richard Nixon had just landed at the Miami Airport. Along with the Vice President was his wife Pat, staffers and a few reporters. In public, Nixon was determined and ambitious. In private, Nixon was reserved and insecure. Nixon was an energetic campaigner.

In November 1946, Nixon won his first political campaign. It was against Democrat Jerry Voorhis. Nixon won with 56 percent of the vote. After 8 years, President Dwight D Eisenhower could not run again. So who would take his place?. His Vice President of course.

So who would run against Nixon?. Would it be Nixon's Republican rival New York Governor Nelson A Rockefeller. No, he dropped out. What about Texas Senator Lyndon Johnson?. Nixon was not worried about Johnson. 

There was one opponent Nixon was worried about. This person knew about the Cold War with the Soviet Union. This person knew about the situation with Cuba. 

Nixon was worried about Jack Kennedy.

research help: ' Countdown 1960' by Chris Wallace and Mitch Weiss

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

Psalms: Psalm 126

 Psalms: Psalm 126 by ric gustafson

When the Lord brought back his exiles to Jerusalem. It was like a dream. We were filled with laughter. And we sang for joy. Yes, the Lord has done amazing things for us. What joy. Restore our fortunes Lord. As streams renew the desert. Those who plant in tears. Will harvest with shouts of joy. They weep as they go to plant their seed. They sing as they return with the harvest.

Have you ever been in a season of exile?. What emotions did you have?. How did God provide for you during that time?. What brings you joy?.

research help: ' Paws in his Presence' by Jennifer Marshall Bleakley

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

McCartney page 9

 McCartney page 9 by ric gustafson

Paul and John wanted to write songs. But they needed someone or something for inspiration. That inspiration came in the late 1957 into 1958. The band was the Crickets. The Crickets leader was 21 year old Buddy Holly. Holly played lead guitar, had a unique stuttering voice. He also wrote most of his material.

John and Paul observed this Texan who played a Fender Stratocaster guitar. He wore horn rimmed glasses. John bought some Holly style horn rims. John and Paul fell in love with Holly. They studied Holly as far as being a song writer.

The Quarrymen could not afford the bulky reel to reel recorders of 1958. It was too expensive for the band. Then John found out about a Liverpool electrical retailer. His name was Percy Phillips. John found out that anyone could book time and have a recording made into a disc. 

The Quarrymen which now consisted of John, Paul, George a pianist and a drummer went to Phillips studio in Kensington. One disc was made of the two songs the band recorded. The first song was Buddy Holly's greatest hit ' That'll Be The Day'. The second song was a McCartney song titled ' Tryin to get to you'. The one and only disc disappeared. The recording session was July 14 1958

research help: ' Paul McCartney the life' by Philip Norman

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

Psalms: Psalm 71

 Psalms: Psalm 71 by ric gustafson

God you have taught me from my earliest childhood. I constantly tell others about the wonderful things you do. Now that I am old and gray. Do not abandon me O God. Let me proclaim your power to this new generation. Your mighty miracles to all who come after me. Your righteousness O God reaches to the highest heavens. You have done such wonderful things. Who can compare with you O God?. You have allowed me to suffer much hardship. But you will restore me to life again. And lift me up from the depths of the earth. You will restore me to even greater honor. And comfort me once again.

Are you in a season of hardship?. Talk to God about it. 

research help: ' Paws in his Presence' by Jennifer Marshall Bleakley

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

the People vs O J Simpson page 6

the People vs O J Simpson page 6 by ric gustafson

Officer Riske walked into 875 South Bundy. He noticed right away that nothing was out of place. Their were no signs of ransacking or theft. He walked upstairs to a bathtub full of water. Riske noticed a young girl asleep in one bedroom.  A young boy was asleep in the other bedroom.

Riske walked back downstairs to call investigators on his portable walkie talkie. As he called, he noticed several family pictures with O J Simpson in them.

Riske called the sergeant in charge of the West Los Angeles Police Department. His name was Supervisor David Rossi. Rossi called six officers to proceed to 875 South Bundy. The first to arrive was Sergeant Marty Coon. Officer Riske helped put up yellow crime scene tape. 

The two children were taken to the West LA station. Two officers began ringing doorbells to talk to the neighbors. 

Then Captain Constance Dial arrived. In charge of the West LA homicide unit was Ron Phillips. Phillips assigned 875 South Bundy to Detective Mark Fuhrman.

research help: ' The run of his life' by Jeffrey Toobin

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

an uncluttered Christian life: Proverbs 22:7

 an uncluttered Christian life: Proverbs 22:7 by ric gustafson

Financial debt creates a chokehold on our lives. It puts a huge burden on families and marriages. By using credit, we can buy now and pay later. We are impatient and live for the moment. We care little about the future. We purchase out of emotion. Then we experience the pain of paying off that credit card.

Proverbs 22:7 says the rich rule over the poor. The borrower is servant to the lender. God says buy what you need. God says save for what you want. God says don't go into debt to do that.

If you are in debt, commit to get out of it. We will have to sacrifice to pay off the debt. God says it will be worth it. God loves us more than anything else.

research help: ' the joy of an uncluttered life' by Joyce Meyer

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

Holding Heaven page 5

 Holding Heaven page 5 by ric gustafson

Joseph and Jesus sat down on a different part of the roof. " I'll continue my story"

" One night while sleeping, I had a dream. An angel visited me in my dream. I knew the angel was real because he called me by name and knew I was a son of David. The angel told me not to be afraid to marry your mother. The angel told me we would have a son. We were told to name you Jesus. The angel told me that you will save his people from their sins.

Joseph smiled at his son. " I believe you are Immanuel ' God is with us". " Your mother and I married immediately".

From the rooftop, Joseph took Jesus to a tiny cypress grove.

" When your birth came near, your mother and I were excited. Then the news came. We had to go to Bethlehem for registration and taxing. Mary, even in her condition, insisted on coming. We reached Bethlehem late one chilly night. Your mother needed to stop and rest. The first Inn I approached was full. I pleaded with the Innkeeper that my wife was great with child. He could only think of one solution to our problem. He took me to a stable behind his Inn where his tenants animals were kept.

I shook my head no.

" It's shelter". Mary sighed. " I must lie down".

We took it.

research help: ' Holding Heaven' by Jerry B Jenkins

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

Holding Heaven page 4

 Holding Heaven page 4 by ric gustafson

Jesus snuggled into Joseph's arms.

" I will continue my story".

" One day while working in my shop, your mother came in". 

" I'm sorry to interrupt you Joseph". Mary smiled. " I'm going to visit my cousin Elisabeth in Judah for a few months".

" We were not yet husband and wife. All I could do was pray for her safety. I was relieved when I found out she had arrived there safely. She stayed with her cousin for three months. When she came back, something was different about her.

Jesus snuggled close to his father.

" Let me tell you something little one".

" Your mother not only told me her cousin was with child, she also told me she was with child. I was stunned. I thought to myself how could someone betrothed leave for three months and then come back with child. She told me she was with child before she left. She told me she had not been unfaithful to me. 

Joseph smiled at his son.

" She told me the angel Gabriel greeted her. He told her not to be frightened. God had chosen to bless her. She was to have a son. She was to name him Jesus. He was to be called ' The Son of the Most High'.

research help: ' Holding Heaven' by Jerry B Jenkins

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric