the end of days page 3

 the end of days page 3 by ric gustafson

Emily Johnston opened her eyes. She quickly glanced around the room. She noticed her son Rory sitting next to her. She tried to raise her head. She couldn't because of the throbbing.

" Mom, it's me Rory".

" Did you get my phone call?". They heard a knock at the door of the room. " What happened?".

" Don't try to move". They heard the knock again. " You had a slight concussion".

" What's happened, where's Ross?".

" Come in".

A police officer walked in. " Sorry to bother you Mrs Johnston". He shook Rory's hand. " I'm Officer Carlson of the Copper Creek Police Department".

" What can I do for you Officer Carlson?". She looked at her son. " Rory, where's Ross?".

The officer took off his hat and put it on an open chair. " Anytime there's an accident, I have to try and ask a few questions".

Emily tried to raise her head. " I'll try to answer them".

" Mrs Johnston, do you remember where you were before the accident?".

" My husband Ross and I had started driving on a trip to California".

Tears began to form in her eyes. " He turned and said he loved me".

" Then what happened?".

" Then I saw our van heading toward a road barrier".

" What did your husband do then?".

" You wouldn't believe me if I told you".

" What's that Mrs Johnston?".

" I only saw Ross's clothes lying in the driver's seat". 

Officer Carlson looked at Emily. " Only his clothes?".

She stared at Rory. " Ross was not driving the van".

research help: ' Left Behind' by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B Jenkins

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

the end of days page 2

 the end of days page 2 by ric gustafson

" Where are we going dad?" Robbie asked. He was reading a passage from Psalms.

" I thought I would show you and your mother my new office". He drove the SUV out of the driveway and then headed east. " And then treat the two of you to Pizza Village for lunch".

" Alright pizza". Robbie put his bible on the seat. " Can we have ham and pineapple?".

Agnes gave a weak smile. " Jim, tell me how you got the promotion?".

" I am now the head of finance because of our new relationship with the UN".

" UN?".

Robbie grinned. " United Nations mom".

" Their new representative is Carlo Ritelo Simpato".

" Dad, we talked about him in youth bible study". Robbie's voice hesitated. " His name is 18 letters".

As Jim turned onto Main Street, fear came over him.

" What's wrong Jim?".

" Cars are going erratically".

Agnes looked through the windshield. " Jim, one is coming right at us".

Both could hear their son praying. " Please God help us".

Jim turned sharply to avoid a head on collision.

The SUV began to roll over.

Agnes looked into the back seat. She began to scream. " Jim, where's Robbie?".

research help: ' Left Behind' by Tim Lahaye and Jerry B Jenkins

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

the end of days page 1

 the end of days page 1 by ric gustafson

Jim Harris pushed the button to close the garage door. He walked into the small kept kitchen.

Agnes Harris was cutting up some fruit. She put them into a small bowl. " How was your day?".

" Busy as usual". He put his worn brown briefcase on top of the hutch. " The bank seems to be doing well".

" That's good". She put a pitcher of ice water on the kitchen table.

" Where's Robbie?".

" Outside under a tree reading his new bible".

He frowned. " Sometimes I wish the church had never given him that".

" Robbie". She yelled out the open kitchen table. " Come in for supper".

The 13 year old walked in. He put his bible next to his dad's briefcase. He sat down.

She poured water into the glasses. " What was the meeting at work about?".

Jim put some roast beef onto his plate. " The new UN representative from Italy Carlo Simpato wants to do some business with our bank".

" Who's working on that deal?".

" Rory Johnston".

research help: ' Left Behind' by Tim Lahaye and Jerry B Jenkins

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

Cain page 15

 Cain page 15 by ric gustafson

In a cave, Sarah was screaming. Next to her holding her hand was Keshra. She wiped sweat from Sarah's forehead.

Finally, Sarah gave birth to a son.

Keshra cleaned the newborn. Then she handed it back to Sarah.

" What will you call him?".

Sarah smiled. " Enoch".

Keshra grinned. " He looks like you".

" We will build a great city". Sarah smiled as she played with Enoch's toes.

" We will name it after my son".

" Enoch".

" It will be known as the city Cain built".

The End.

research help: ' Cain' by Brennan S McPherson

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

Cain page 14

 Cain page 14 by ric gustafson

Cain stopped at the edge of the boiling darkness. One step forward and he would enter his eternal home. He heard a noise next to him. He turned to see a man next to him.

Cain knelt down. He began to pray.

" God, is there anything I can do to stop this?".

The man spoke up. " You must bear the consequences".

" God, do want you want with me". Cain looked at the man. " Just keep Sarah safe".

" It's time to experience the everlasting darkness prepared for you".

Cain heard a familiar voice from down in the darkness.

" My son".

Cain smiled. He looked at the man. He stepped forward. He tumbled down into the boiling darkness.

research help: ' Cain' by Brennan S McPherson

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

God's Creations: Honoring the Dead

 God's Creations: Honoring the Dead by ric gustafson

There is evidence showing that people honored the dead as early as 600,000 and 400,000 years ago. There have been burial sites from about 130,000 years ago. The way the body was positioned. Things found inside these burial sites including tools and animal bones. These burial sites could be one of the first forms of religious practice.

Honoring the dead is an ongoing practice in some cultures and traditions. Honoring the dead is a near universal practice that exists across geographical, cultural and religious boundaries. It is a social bond in society. It is a way to link the living with the dead. 

God created honoring the dead. God loves us more than anything else.

Happy Memorial Day love Ric

a great cloud of witnesses: Harriet Tubman

 a great cloud of witnesses: Harriet Tubman by ric gustafson

Harriet Tubman was a herald of freedom. She relied on God for her strength and inspiration. She was born a slave. From an early age, Tubman believed that God wanted her to be a liberator of her people. 

Tubman believed that people are not slaves. With faith, Tubman escaped and fled to Philadelphia. From there, she made 13 trips and smuggled over 70 slaves to freedom. The slaves that she saved called her Moses. Tubman always talked to God and said he was her foundation. 

In her later years, Tubman was active in the African Methodist Episcopal Church.

research help: ' Our Church Speaks' by Ben Lansing and D J Marotta

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

God's Creations: Clothing

 God's Creations: Clothing by ric gustafson

The early humans made clothing using grass, plant leaves and animal skins. Clothing could of been widespread as early as 650,00 to 170,000 years ago. At the same time, an Ice Age came or it was ending. With the Ice Age, warmer clothes was needed. 

Clothing started out crude but became more complex when needles came. Clothing started out for warmth but changed over the years to convey wealth and class. 

God created clothing. God loves us more than anything else.

research help: ' 1001 ideas that changed the way we think' by Robert Arp

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

U-505 page 7

 U-505 page 7 by ric gustafson

It is April 3 1942. Loewe spots a tanker. He frowns. Next to it is a British escort. At 1000 meters, Loewe shoots two torpedoes. Both miss. With the escort so close, Loewe pursue's the tanker for hours.

Then Loewe spots a steamer. He frowns again. The steamer is being escorted by two British ships. Then Loewe smiles, the steamer is coming right at him. At 400 meters, Loewe fires two torpedoes. The first one misses. The second is a direct hit. The torpedo strikes the steamer's port side near the bridge. The steamer is called the ' West Irmo'. It is the U-505's third kill.

On the other side of the world, Commander Daniel Gallery is happy. He will be leaving Iceland for good. His new orders are to take command of an aircraft carrier. It is the USS Guadalcanal.

research help: ' Codename Nemo' by Charles Lachman

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

God's creations: Fire

 God's creations: Fire by ric gustafson

A hallmark of human culture is controlling fire. Fire has been around before the existence of modern Homo sapiens. Early people obtained fire from natural sources. Essential to human civilization is the ability to create, control and use fire. 

Early humans dealt with wild fires and forest fires. By 125,000 BC, Homo sapiens were able to use, control and create fire. Fire gave people protection from wild animals. It gave warmth. Gave people the chance to fashion tools. Gave people the ability to cook food. 

Fire was important. God created it.

research help: ' 1001 ideas that changed the way we think' by Robert Arp

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

Trusting God: Mark 10:27

 Trusting God: Mark 10:27 by ric gustafson

Sometimes we are afraid of the future. We do not need to feel that way. We are in the will of God. His will will be done in his way and timing. With God, we can handle anything in this short life. With God, we can have inner strength. 

We try to do things our way. We keep trying over and over to do it our own way. When we can't, then we ask God to take care of it for us. When we do, our souls can be at rest. God can always take care of us. He always does and wants to. All we have to do is ask him. He loves us more than anything else.

research help: ' Trusting God day by day' by Joyce Meyer

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

U-505 page 6

 U-505 page 6 by ric gustafson

Loewe yelled. " Alarm! dive! dive!".

The U-505 is twenty feet below the surface.

Loewe began looking through the periscope. He spots the freighter. " Make ready one and two". The boat had four torpedo tubes. When all torpedo doors are open, the torpedo tanks flood with water. In the control room, Hans Goebeler has to keep the boat level.

Loewe looks through the periscope. The freighter is now only 600 meters away. Loewe looks up. " Torpedoes away fire one fire two". Loewe and the crew now wait.

The radioman smiles. " One torpedo was a direct hit the other was not".

Loewe grinned. " What ship is it?".

" It is a British freighter the SS Benmohr".

" What was the cargo?".

" Probably war supplies like rubber and pig iron".

Loewe and crew were very happy. It was their first kill.

The next day, the U-505 sank a British tanker filled with oil. The tanker was called the ' Sydhav".

It was the U-505's second kill.

research help: ' Codename Nemo' by Charles Lachman

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

Cain page 13

 Cain page 13 by ric gustafson

Lukian, Kiile and Machael stared at the abomination.

Kiile spoke up. " Is it him?".

Lukian shook his head. " Cain is dead".

Machael stared with half open eyes. " Are you sure?".

" It's an illusion". Lukian frowned. " A demon from Hell".

" Actually". Cain laughed. " I have come to claim what is mine".

Lukian frowned. " And what is that?".

Cain smiled. " Your worship".

Mason exclaimed. " Your worship?".

" You have two choices, bow to me". Cain's voice hesitated. " Or die".

Lukian stared at Cain. " And if we decide not to?".

" Follow me or die".

research help: ' Cain' by Brennan McPherson

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

U-505 page 5

 U-505 page5 by ric gustafson

One night, Kapitanleutnant Axel- Olaf Loewe quietly guided the U-505 out of the Bay of Biscay. At flank speed, Loewe used the cover of darkness to reach the open Atlantic water.

It was three weeks before the U-505 reached it's patrol zone. This was 210 miles southwest of Freetown Sierra Leone. For those three weeks, the boat passed the Azores and crossed the Tropic of Cancer. Inside the boat, it was like a furnace. The crew changed into tropical gear.

On March 8 1942, the U-505 reached it's patrol zone. Loewe decided to ride the surface. On the bridge were four lookouts. For the lookouts, talking and smoking were forbidden.

At 6:36 pm, a plume of smoke was spotted in the distance. Could it be?. It took four hours for the U-505 to reach the freighter. Loewe maneuvered the boat into attack position.

research help: ' Codename Nemo' by Charles Lachman

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

Trusting God: Psalm 103: 1-3

 Trusting God: Psalm 103: 1-3 by ric gustafson

The word 'all' is used 5,675 times in God's Word. It is used four times in this passage from Psalm 103. Jesus is the Lord of all. Jesus is all that we need. When we say ' all' leaves nothing outside of God's control. 

According to John 21, God knows all things. God knows the end from the beginning. God has all power, all authority, all things are under his feet. God sees all, hears all. God is everywhere all the time. 

God loves us more than anything else. God forgives all of our sins. According to Psalm 103, God removes our sins completely. Praise God's name.

research help: ' Trusting God day by day' by Joyce Meyer

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

U-505 page 4

 U-505 page 4 by ric gustafson

Commander Daniel V Gallery wanted badly to fight in the Pacific. Instead, Gallery took a plum assignment commanding the US Navy Fleet Air Base in Reykjavik Iceland. Gallery called Iceland a cold strange land.

Gallery was born in Chicago in 1901. At 16, Gallery entered the US Naval Academy. Gallery met his wife on a blind date. Gallery and his wife Vera Lee Dunn were married in 1929. Gallery and his wife adopted 3 children. They bought a farm outside Fairfax Virginia.

One day, Commander Gallery gets his assignment. His orders are to hunt and kill U-Boats in the North Atlantic. 

Commander Gallery got depressed because they could not find a target. But on Aug 20 1942, Lieutenant Robert Hopgood and his crew flying a PBY Catalina did spot a target on the surface. It was the U-464. Hopgood dropped 6 depth charges. They crippled the boat. The U-Boat could not submerge.

Gallery was hoping they could capture the boat intact. This was because of what was on the boat. On board was a machine with a keyboard of the 26 letters of the alphabet. It was called an Enigma machine.

Because of the limitless number of combinations possible, the Germans considered the machine unbreakable. 

Before Gallery could board the boat, the crew had already destroyed their Enigma machine. The crew also threw the code books overboard.

One day, Gallery hoped to capture a boat intact and seize their Enigma machine.

research help: ' Codename Nemo' by Charles Lachman

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

Trusting God: Hebrews 4:10

 Trusting God: Hebrews 4:10 by ric gustafson

We need rest physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. Faith allows us to rest spiritually. Hebrews 4 talks about entering God's rest.

Do we suffer from stress?. God stresses to us not to do it. It is easy to stress with our circumstances in life. God says give those stresses to me. He will give us peace and rest for our souls.

research help: ' Trusting God day by day' by Joyce Meyer

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

Trusting God: Psalm 55: 5-6

 Trusting God: Psalm 55: 5-6 by ric gustafson

Do you run away from trouble?. We could run from the enemy. Or we could defeat the enemy using God's power. God does not want us to run or hide from our problems. God will meet our problems head on. God wants us to face our problems. God will give us power and wisdom to deal with them. 

If we are going through hard times? God does not want us to run away from them. He will be there with us all the way. 

research help: ' Trusting God day by day' by Joyce Meyer

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

U-505 page 3

 U-505 page 3 by ric gustafson

Commander Loewe told the officers and crew that the U-505 had been assigned to the 2nd U-Boat Flotilla. The U-505 safely made it to the forward submarine base at Lorient. The Bay of Biscay submarine base had 16 bunkers with reinforced concrete walls. Greeting the U-505 was Flotilla Chief  U-Boat Ace Viktor Schutze.

After a welcoming party, the U-505 is fitted for it's first combat patrol. Loewe knew their first combat patrol would be 100 days. Loewe knew many things had to be stored into a very small space. Everything had to be stowed properly to maintain a balance of the boat. 

Fresh vegetables and eggs had to be eaten right away or it would start rotting. In all, the U-505 would sail with 12 tons of food.

Coming on board was 18 year old Hans Goebeler. He is a machinist who will be working in the control room. Then the boat's orders came in. Their first mission was to hunt along the West African coast near Freetown Harbor.

research help: ' Codename Nemo' by Charles Lachman

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

The Story: Joshua 6: 22,24,25

The Story: Joshua 6: 22,24,25 by ric gustafson

It hurts to have a broken promise. Two of Joshua's spies made a promise to Rahab. Why?. Because she hid them when they needed to hide. When Joshua came with his army to burn the whole city of Jericho, he kept his promise to Rahab. Her and her entire family were saved. 

In Hebrews 11, Rahab is mentioned in the Hall of Faith. Rahab is part of the genealogy of Jesus.

Promises kept can have wonderful consequences. Jesus loves us more than anything else.

research help: ' The Story 365 devotions' by Zondervan

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

Trusting God: Isaiah 9:1

 Trusting God: Isaiah 9:1 by ric gustafson

According to Isaiah 9, nevertheless that time of darkness and despair will not go on forever. God wants us to take every problem in our life and look at it honestly. Nevertheless, we need to find the positive in each of our problems. No matter what challenges we face in this short life, we can say nevertheless. We need to think positive no matter the situation or problem we face. God will always help us.

research help: ' Trusting God day by day' by Joyce Meyer

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

The Story: Joshua 6:20-21

 The Story: Joshua 6:20-21 by ric gustafson

Have you seen something that looked impossible?. It seemed that capturing Jericho looked impossible. But God had other plans. According to Joshua 6, trumpets sounded and the army shouted. Then at the sound of a trumpet, men gave a loud shout. Then the army came into Jericho and took it. Everything was destroyed. Every living thing. Nothing is impossible with God.

research help: ' The Story 365 devotions' by Zondervan

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

Trusting God: I Peter 3:3-4

 Trusting God: I Peter 3:3-4 by ric gustafson

What do we value more?. Is it inner or outer beauty?. According to I Peter 3, God wants us to concentrate on our inward beauty. This is the beauty of the heart. Looking nice is not a sin. God does not want us to focus solely on outward appearance. 

God wants us to keep everything in balance. That includes our inner and outward appearance. If we are good stewards of what God has given us, God will do his part too.

research help: ' Trusting God day by day' by Joyce Meyer

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

Trusting God: Luke 13:24

 Trusting God: Luke 13:24 by ric gustafson

Usually in life, you want to take the easy path. God's path is not easy. The broad path leads to destruction. To be on this broad path, does not take much effort. Luke 13 says strive to enter by the narrow door. God's narrow path is harder to find. This path leads to life. 

We must push aside negativity. Some will try. Some won't. Some people do not want to take the effort. Jesus wants us to have a wonderful abundant life. Jesus wants us to have peace, joy, power and every good thing. 

We need to spend time and study God's Word. Jesus says choose life.

research help: ' Trusting God day by day' by Joyce Meyer

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

a great cloud of witnesses: Polycarp

 a great cloud of witnesses: Polycarp by ric gustafson

The Apostle John trained several young men to be leaders in the early church. One of these was a man named Polycarp. Polycarp later would become the bishop of Smyrna. Polycarp was an author of early church literature. Polycarp wrote to the Philippian Church. His goal was to encourage and comfort that church. Polycarp wanted to bind the church together with love preached by Jesus. 

When Polycarp became old, he was treasured as a last living link to the Apostles. At age 86, Polycarp was arrested. The Romans wanted Polycarp to renounce Jesus. Polycarp refused. He became a martyr for Jesus.

research help: ' Our Church Speaks' by Ben Lansing and D J Marotta

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

U-505 page 2

 U-505 page 2 by ric gustafson

It was August 26 1941. Standing next to his boat was Kapitanleutnant Axel Olaf Loewe. U-505 was formally being commissioned today. Loewe watched as his coat of arms was being painted on the submarine's tower. Loewe in German meant ' Lion'. So a rampaging lion became the sub's coat of arms. Compared to a lion, Loewe was the opposite. He was medium height with thick hair. He smiled under his captain's hat. He was known for his steady leadership.

As he stood on top of the boat's tower, he looked at his officer's and crew. He was proud of them already. The crew was inexperienced but eager. His second in command was Chief Engineer Fritz Forster. The first Watch Officer was Oberleutnant Herbert Nollau. Second Watch Officer was Gottfried Stolzenburg. 

As the boat began it's deep sea acceptance tests, Loewe watched from the cunning tower. He smiled. He was proud of the U-505.

research help: ' Codename Nemo' by Charles Lachman

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

Cain page 12

 Cain page 12 by ric gustafson

Cain knocked on a golden door.

" Enter".

Cain opened the door. It revealed a sparse chamber. On one stone throne sat the person Cain was eager to meet. Cain slowly began walking toward it.

" You are drawn to me".

Cain began to shake.

The Light Bringer sipped from a goblet. " You and I are from similar molds". 

" How so?".

" You want freedom". The Light Bringer smiled. " You wanted to come here".

" I was led here".

" You lie son of Adam".

Cain scratched his chin. " Why are you called the Light Bringer?".

Satan smiled. " That is just one of the names I go by".

Cain stared at Satan. " What do you want me to do for you?".

" Take care of my child". Satan grinned. " He will be called Abomination".

research help: ' Cain' by Brennan S McPherson

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

a great cloud of witnesses: Janani Luwum

 a great cloud of witnesses: Janani Luwum by ric gustafson

Archbishop Janani Luwum became an Anglican archbishop in East Africa in 1974. At the time, a military dictator named Idi Amin was spreading terror. Ugandans were being imprisoned, tortured and murdered. When Christianity was spreading in the region, Luwum became a Christian. Luwum became a preacher. Because of his devotion to Jesus, Luwum committed himself to helping the poor and oppressed. In 1977, Luwum spoke out against Amin in defiance. 

Amin arrested Luwum and then had him executed. Luwum became a Ugandan martyr. Because of martyr's like Luwum and others, the Christian church grew in 21st century Africa. 

research help: ' Our Church Speaks' by Ben Lansing and D J Marotta

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

Cain page 11

Cain page 11 by ric gustafson

Cain opened his eyes. He was sitting on a bench. He glanced around. He was inside a cylinder. He looked out a window. He noticed a barren wasteland as far as he could see. He noticed a single dome in the distance.

Then Cain heard a noise. He turned. The silver boy was sitting right next to him.

The silver boy smiled and pointed. " So how do you like the City of the Light Bringer?".

Cain stared at the silver boy. " Who is the Light Bringer?".

" He goes by many names". The silver boy grinned. " He wants to meet you".

" Why?".

" Son of Adam". The silver boy's voice hesitated. " You are his now".

Cain thought for a moment. " Can I see him?".

" Yes". He pointed toward the Dome Cain had noticed earlier.

" What is that Dome?".

" That is the Central Dome of the Light Bringer".

research help: ' Cain' by Brennan S McPherson

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

a great cloud of witnesses: Absalom Jones

a great cloud of witnesses: Absalom Jones by ric gustafson

Even before the United States was formed, there was the African American Church. One of the founders of this church was Absalom Jones. Absalom and his family were slaves in Delaware. Later, Absalom purchased freedom for himself and his family. 

In 1787, Absalom along with another freed slave founded the Free African Society. This organization championed rights for free black citizens.

Today, Absalom Jones is known as an influential Christian leader in Philadelphia. Absalom established the African Episcopal Church of Saint Thomas. Absalom Jones was one of the first officially ordained African American pastors of any church. Absalom preached antislavery sermons until his death in 1818.

research help: ' Our Church Speaks' by Ben Lansing and D J Marotta

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

a great cloud of witnesses: Josephine Bakhita

a great cloud of witnesses: Josephine Bakhita by ric gustafson

Josephine Bakhita was born in Darfur Sudan. She was part of the Daju people. At age 8, she was kidnapped by Arab slave traders. She was forced to convert to Islam. 

One day, Bakhita was purchased by an Italian government agent. She became a maid for an Italian family. Later, she was sent to Venice and lived in a monastic community. While there, Bakhita was introduced to God. After that, Bakhita did not want to leave the convent. The courts ruled that her servitude was illegal. She became a free person. Bakhita became baptized. She began serving at a convent in Schio near Venice. 

She earned a reputation for her gentle voice, life of prayer and profound faith in God.

research help: ' Our Church Speaks' by Ben Lansing and D J Marotta

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

a great cloud of witnesses: Paul Miki

 a great cloud of witnesses: Paul Miki by ric gustafson

In 1549, Christianity came to Japan. A Jesuit priest named Francis Xavier converted many Japanese to the Christian faith. A Japanese evangelist named Paul Miki wanted to follow in Xavier's footsteps. The Japanese ruler Hideyoshi stopped that by arresting these new Christians. Miki and many others were arrested and forced to march to Nagasaki where they were going to be killed. 

When they reached Nagasaki, Miki and the others were crucified. Miki's death along with the others was not in vain. There were secret believers for seven generations. In 1871, The Japanese government began giving Christians legal protection. 

Nagasaki became the center of Japanese Christianity.

research help: ' Our Church Speaks' by Ben Lansing and D J Marotta

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

Cain page 10

 Cain page 10 by ric gustafson

" I do not know".

" I saw you both walk into the fields".

Cain gave the Almighty a stern look. " Am I my brother's keeper?".

" I know what it is you have done". The Almighty's voice hesitated. " You have killed Abel".

" That is not true".

Tears began to wet the Almighty's eyes. " Now you are cursed from the ground".

Cain's body began to shake. 

" You are now a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth".

" Someone will try to kill me".

" No, they won't". The Almighty pressed a finger into the center of Cain's forehead.

" No one will touch you".

research help: ' Cain' by Brennan S McPherson

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

Cain page 9

 Cain page 9 by ric gustafson

Cain ran into the dark temple of the City of the Almighty. Cain found a torch. He lit it. Light reached the corners of the room. Fear came over Cain's face. He was not alone.

A man stood at the other end of the room. He had long white hair. He also had a beard.

" Hello Cain".

Cain knew who it was.

" Where have you been?".

Cain decided not to answer.

" Son of Adam, where have you been?".

Cain cleared his throat. " At home with Sarah".

" Is that all?".

" Yes, that's all".

" Son of Adam". The Almighty frowned. " Do you think I do not know?".

Cain stared at the Almighty. " You know all things".

" Cain, where is your brother?".

research help: ' Cain' by Brennan McPherson

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

U-505 page 1

 U-505 page 1 by ric gustafson

Kapitanleutnant Axel Olaf Loewe stood next to the boat he was going to command. It was love at first sight. The boat had light gray paint and dark gray trim. There was not a mark on it. The batteries were fresh from the factory.

Loewe came from a seafaring family. His father was a naval officer in the German Imperial Navy. Loewe's brother was an officer on a different boat. Later, his brother was captured and put into a prisoner of war camp. Loewe graduated from the German Naval Academy in 1928. Loewe and his wife Helga had a son and a daughter.

Loewe was an executive officer on the U-74. Now, Loewe was smiling again at the boat he was now going to command. It was a large submarine. It carried 22 torpedoes. There were 50 men on board. The boat could go over 8,000 miles without refueling.

The boat was the U-505.

research help: ' Codename Nemo' by Charles Lachman

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

McCartney page 11

 McCartney page 11 by ric gustafson

Paul began dating 16 year old Dorothy ' Dot' Rhone. For Paul, Rhone dressed like Brigitte Bardot. To Dot, Paul was loving and attentive. The Casbah was run by Mona Best. Her 18 year old son Pete was becoming a pretty good drummer. John, Paul and George changed the band's name to Johnny and the Moondogs. This was the so the group could be in a talent contest. 

While John was attending art college, he became friends with Stuart Sutcliffe. Sutcliffe helped John with his art. Paul was jealous. John moved out of his Aunt Mimi's house and moved in with Sutcliffe.

Things were not going well for John, Paul and George as a group. John and Paul had stopped writing together. As a music group, they had no name and no drummer. Their gigs were mostly art college dances.

One day, John asked Sutcliffe if he wanted to join the band as a bass guitarist. Paul knew he couldn't play. He was not happy.

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

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric 

Cain page 8

 Cain page 8 by ric gustafson

Adam ran into Cain's home. He noticed Sarah on the floor next to broken furniture and shards of pottery. To Adam, it looked like violence had occured.

" Where is he?".

She did not reply.

" Sarah, where is he?".

She pointed around at the damage. " He's gone".

" Did Cain kill my son?".

Sarah began to cry. " Yes".

" Sarah, tell me where he is?".

Sarah stared at Adam. " I don't know".

" Sarah". Adam whispered. " How could you have done nothing?".

" I was scared". She glanced around the room. " I thought he was going to kill me".

research help: ' Cain' by Brennan S McPherson

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

Cain page 7

 Cain page 7 by ric gustafson 

Adam stopped at the crest of a hill. He stared at the valley below. It was filled with grass. Adam knew the area well. It was between Abel's pastures and Cain's fields. Then Adam noticed a patch of grass which looked depressed.

He walked downhill and then through the clearing. He walked up to a spot where the grass looked sickly. On the crushed grass, Adam noticed a pool of liquid. Adam examined the liquid with his fingers. It was blood. Then Adam noticed clumps of hair. He bent down and examined it. The hair was very light.

Fear came over Adam. Abel's?. That's impossible Adam thought to himself. The Almighty promised protection. 

Then Adam noticed footprints leading toward the river. He followed them. At the river's endge, Adam noticed more footprints. They were human and fresh. The footprints were probably only a day old. 

Perplexed, Adam scratched his chin. Cain?.

research help: ' Cain' by Brennan S McPherson

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

Cain page 6

 Cain page 6 by ric gustafson

As Cain walked, a storm was raging. He was happy to be free of Abel's presence. He savored his final blow. That feeling frightened him.

Cain was hoping killing his brother would make the voice go away. The voice did not leave. 

Cain walked into his house. Sarah again was standing by the window.

" What's wrong Sarah?".

Fear had come over her face. " Your father was here asking if I had seen your brother?".

" Already?".

She stared at her husband. " You know your father will find him".

" I was just angry". Cain frowned. " That's why I did what I did".

" I told your father nothing".

" You know my brother is not coming back".

" What is going to happen to us?".

research help: ' Cain' by Brennan S McPherson

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

Cain page 5

 Cain page 5 by ric gustafson

Cain walked through the doorway of their home. His wife Sarah was standing by a window. She was waiting for him.

Cain walked up to her slowly quietly a vision came to him of his brother on the ground dead.

Sarah's eyes stared at the stained figure in front of her. She knew what he had done.

" Sarah, I need your help".

She did not reply.

" My bloody hair". He whispered. " I need you to cut it".

She wiped her eyes. She nodded.

Cain sat down. She took a knife. She began her work. 

After a while, she stopped. She stared at her red stained hands. She began to cry.

Cain walked out of the house. Rain began to fall. He sat down under a large oak tree. He closed his eyes. A strange peace came over him.

research help: ' Cain' by Brennan S McPherson

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

Cain page 4

 Cain page 4 by ric gustafson

Again, Cain could hear a strange voice in his head. 

" Bring the body to the river".

Cain wondered ' Why?".

The voice came again. " Take him to the river and wash himself".

Cain grabbed his brother's body by the neck. He began dragging him toward the river. Cain remembered how he felt as he made contact with Abel's skull. As he was killing his brother, Cain felt power and pleasure. He felt like God.

When he came to the river's edge, he threw his brother"s body into the icy water. 

" Cut it off".

Cain slowly started to wash the blood out of his hair.

The strange voice came back. " Go to Sarah your wife".

research help: ' Cain' by Brennan S McPherson

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

Cain page 3

 Cain page 3 by ric gustafson

Cain stared at his gift by the altar. It was caked with dry blood from Abel's offering. Cain stared at his brother. " You have always played me for a fool".

" You have made your choices". Abel's voice hesitated. " And I have made mine".

" Father prefers you". Cain lowered his head. " He always has".

Abel looked at his brother. " I have done nothing to you".

Cain, now with hate in his eyes, stared at Abel. " Let's fight like when we were kids".

When Abel turned his head, Cain seized him by the throat. He picked up a nearby stone. He gripped it hard. With that hard rock, Cain began smashing it into the back of Abel's head. Then Cain began screaming. He smashed that bloody stone into Abel's head several times. He didn't stop until liquid, flesh and bone came out of Abel's head and torso. 

Cain knew his brother was dead.

Then a thought came to Cain. ' What now?'.

research help: ' Cain' by Brennan S McPherson

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric