God Reflections: Genesis 1

God Reflections: Genesis 1 by ric gustafson

There is somebody deep in the universe who has absolute power. Deep in the universe this person resides at an unknown address. How do we know this person has absolute power?. This person created the universe. 

Genesis 1 says that in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. God created everything. He spared no detail. God saw everything that he had made. God said it was very good.

Even though sin spoiled God's handiwork, God's power still reigns.

Later, God became man. He died. He was resurrected. This act brought creation full circle to it's life giving essence. It shows that God has the power to deliver from death. God's power reigns.

research help: ' Our daily times with God' by Discovery House Publishers

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

Beatles Anthology page 15

 Beatles Anthology page 15 by ric gustafson

My name is Ringo Starr

When I was 12, I started at Dingle Vale Secondary Modern School. I had to walk 30 minutes to get there. I would usually walk through Princes Park or down Park Road.

At 11, my stepfather came into the picture. His name was Harry. My Mum loved him. So did I. He was a painter and a decorator. At 13, Mum wanted to marry Harry. How could I say no.

At 13, I got pleurisy. I had bad lungs. When the bad lungs became tuberculosis, I was put into a hospital for a year. The nurses would bring toy instruments around to keep us occupied. That was when I started banging on a toy drum.

After 13, I left school for good. My first proper job was a messenger on the railways. I was there only 5 weeks. Then I worked on a pleasure steamer. In 1956 or 57, I did not want to be called up to the army. I became an apprentice engineer. The firm was H Hunt and Son.

research help: ' Beatles Anthology' by the Beatles

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

God page 2

 God page 2 by ric gustafson

It is not a simple task to understand God. Because our awesome God has overwhelming majesty. How can I a mere man try to describe the God of the universe. God is all powerful, holy and righteous. God wants us to know him. God came down in our limited form as a human. God was born as a baby in a manger in a small village called Bethlehem. This was God's love to us because he desires for us to know him.

What prevents us from getting to know God better. Can we trust God completely?. God has provided us a way to understand him more. It is his love. The Holy Spirit is here to reveal to us our Creator and Savior. An intimate walk with God will produce joy in our life. 

To describe what God can do in your life, let us look at a man named John Newton. Newton's mother was a Christian. Newton's father was an English sea captain. Newton joined the British Royal Navy. But he was discharged because of unruly behavior. Newton moved to Africa and worked for a slave trader. Eventually, Newton became a captain of a slave ship. 

On one voyage, there was a fierce storm. Fearing for his life, Newton surrendered his life to God. Knowing slavery was wrong, he began to crusade against it. Newton became a minister. Because now he knew God, Newton penned one of the greatest hymns of all time.

The hymn is called ' Amazing Grace'.

Only God can change a slave trader to a minister.

research help: ' God' by Bill Bright

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

the Lusitania miracle page 1

the Lusitania miracle page 1 by ric gustafson

a work in progress

I stood on Cunard Pier 54. It was a wet Saturday spring morning. I was watching the chaos going on before me. The pier was alive with passengers, crew and Cunard Company personnel. As I stared at the large black and white ship, I could sense someone was standing next to me. I turned. It was an older gentleman. He was holding that day's edition of the New York newspaper ' World'. He frowned as he pointed at the Lusitania.

" So you are going to be a passenger on this huge ship?".

I smiled back. " I am". 

The gentleman opened the newspaper. " Did you read the notice on page 5?".

" I did". I frowned at the notice. " I need to get to Liverpool as soon as possible".

He began to walk away. " I will pray for you and the ship".

research help: ' A Crown of Stars' by Shana Abe

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

God Reflections: Psalm 59

 God Reflections: Psalm 59 by ric gustafson

Some people are morning people. Some are evening and night people. God's Word says that mornings are a great time to read God's Word and pray. Psalm 141 talks about evening praise, evening offerings and evening worship. Psalm 59 talks about the morning. That each morning I will sing with joy about your unfailing love. 

We all have different body clocks. It could be morning or evening, it doesn't matter to God. What does matter is that we honor him by praying to him and reading God's Word.

God loves us more than anything else.

research help: ' Mini Devotions to refresh your heart' by Christian Art Publishers

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

God page 1

 God page 1 by ric gustafson

I love God more than anything else. Is it possible to know a great God who created everything?. Can we trust God enough with the most sensitive areas of our lives?. Do we know God enough to love and obey him?. The most important thing in life is to know, love and serve God.

Our attitudes, motives, desires and actions are influenced by our view of God. Our friendships, our work and our leisure. We cannot see God unless we have the right view of him. Our view of God can be bad or good. Karl Marx denied the existence of God. Martin Luther believed in God totally.

Someone with a false belief in God leads to sin and corruption. A life of faith brings blessings from God for oneself and generations to come.

 

research help: ' God' by Bill Bright

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

God Reflections: 3 John 1

 God Reflections: 3 John 1 by ric gustafson

The soul has been described as the inner life. The soul is our thinking, beliefs, attitudes and feelings. Our brain is on 24 hours a day. It needs a constant supply of energy. Our physical body needs food. We need our body to be fed and healthy so that our soul can be fed also. 

God wants us to be glorious in our bodies. In Philippians 1, the Apostle Paul wants us to magnify Christ in our body by life or by death.

The truth is God loves you more than anything else.

research help: ' Mini Devotions to refresh your heart' by Christian Art Publishers

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

Happy Birthday from the Sowers page 1

 Happy Birthday from the Sowers page 1 by ric gustafson

Margaret Sower licked the cake spoon. She put it in the sink. She smiled as Michael Sower entered the spacious kitchen. He gave his mother a big hug. " Mom, you don't have to make a cake for me".

" Yes I do". She smiled.

Michael scratched his chin. " What kind am I getting this year?".

" German Chocolate". She smiled again. " Your favorite".

" It is". He hugged her again. " I am also curious about the present I saw in the closet".

" You saw that". She grinned as she put the cake in the oven. " It is your birthday present".

" Mom, you did not have to".

" Your father and I want to". She hugged him again. " We love you so much".

research help: a church sermon

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

God Reflections: Matthew 3

God Reflections: Matthew 3 by ric gustafson

When we think of fruit, we think of actual fruit to eat. There is also a different kind of fruit talked about in God's Word. In Galatians 5, the Apostle Paul describes the fruit of the Spirit. Fruit by the Holy Spirit is evidence that God's grace is transforming us. Spiritual fruit produces a harvest of goodness to feed a hope deficient world. 

There is no fake spiritual fruit. We cannot pretend to be like Jesus. We cannot pretend good spiritual fruit when it is not. Spiritual fruit must be rooted in a right relationship with God.

If we come to know Jesus, spiritual fruit will come.

God loves us more than anything else.

research help: ' Mini Devotions to refresh your heart' by Christian Art Publishers

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

Paul Simon page 2

 Paul Simon page 2 by ric gustafson

On Feb 16 1967, Paul Frederic Simon was trying to explain in his lawyer's office who he was. He explained that as a senior in high school, he and best friend Artie Garfunkel recorded their first pop tune. It was a hit. Right away, they signed a recording contract with a small New York recording company.

Simon and Garfunkel needed a stage name for their act. Someone from the recording company came up with the names of Tom and Jerry. Paul and Artie recorded at least 8 songs after the success of ' Schoolgirl'. None of them were a hit. The two friends decided to go their seperate ways.

In 1963, Simon and Garfunkel reunited and became folksingers. Their last names became their stage name. The duo from 1963 to 1965 crafted meloncholic songs that resounded with their generation. In late 1965, their song ' The Sound of Silence' broke into Billboard's top 100. They were on their way. But first they had to clean up their past.

research help: ' Home Ward Bound' by Peter Ames Carlin

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

The Nine page 13

the Nine page 13 by ric gustafson

It was Sunday October 25 1959. The nine year old boy stood between Chestnut Avenue and Division Street. The town was Trenton New Jersey. The boy was dressed in his Sunday best. The boy and his family watched as a bronze statue of Christopher Columbus was being raised. The boy's family was part of Trenton's Italian American community. This community accounted for 25 percent of Trenton New Jersey's population.

On July 8 2020, Samuel Anthony Alito Jr watched as city workers dismantled the Christopher Columbus statue. The statue pieces were hauled away. The Supreme Court Justice was sad. What had happened to the statue rankled Alito. He had studied at Princeton University. At law school, people knew Alito as shy but kind and polite. 

Alito had joined the Supreme Court in 2006. He became known as the Justice who spoke out in public.

research help: ' Revenge for the Sixties' by Peter S Canellos

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

God Reflections: Hebrews 10

 God Reflections: Hebrews 10 by ric gustafson

Our culture today is about individualism and self sufficiency. A world view has it's strength. We don't want to act needy. Society has been taken up by pride. And also foolishness. It all ends with spiritual, social, emotional and relational failure. 

God created us for community. God created us for friendship. We were designed to need others. We need the wisdom, guidance and encouragement of other believers. 

Others need our love. We need the love of others. God loves us more than anything else.

research help: ' Mini Devotions to refresh your heart' by Christian Art Publishers

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

God Reflections: Psalm 147

 God Reflections: Psalm 147 by ric gustafson

God is the great Physician. God can heal and repair you. God can heal you socially, physically and spiritually. God can restore our hearts. He can restore our emotional damage. 

No matter what happens in our lives, there is always hope. There is always the possibility of recovery. Healing is possible. Forgiveness is possible. God causes all things to work for our good. Heartbreak can and will grow us.

Bad habits can clog our spiritual lives. God can cut out the bad habits in our hearts. He can and he will.

research help: ' Mini Devotions to refresh your heart' by Christian Art Publishers

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

God Reflections: John 11

 God Reflections: John 11 by ric gustafson

Women cry 30 to 60 times a year. Men cry 5 to 15 times per year. Wether you are a male or female, you are an emotional being. John 11 says Jesus wept. We were created in the image of an emotional God. 

Jesus loved people. Jesus loves us. We need to be emotionally available. It will cost us courage and vulnerability. It will cost us tears. Tears can soften a hard heart.

Jesus loves us more than anything else. 

research help: ' Mini Devotions to refresh your heart' by Christian Art Publishers

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

God Reflections: Psalm 56

 God Reflections: Psalm 56 by ric gustafson

Jesus wept at the graveside of his friend according to John 11. Jesus is a victorious God, Master and Creator. Jesus is unafraid and unlimited. But Jesus was also a person like you and me. Jesus was moved by sadness and other's distress. 

Because Jesus felt physical and emotional pain, he knows our pain. Jesus knows our tears and our cries. Jesus loves us. When we get home to heaven, Jesus will be waiting for us. He will hug us with his nail pierced hands. Jesus will count and then wipe away our tears.

Jesus loves us more than anything else.

research help: ' Mini Devotions to refresh your heart' by Christian Art Publishers

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

God's Reflections: Psalm 30

 God Reflections: Psalm 30 by ric gustafson

When we feel helpless, sometimes frustration and anger comes out. We get trapped in traffic, we are in the middle of unresolved family relations or we have a financial downturn. It is easy to feel powerless. 

Jesus died and rose again. 

He promised us that he would not leave us alone. According to John 14, Jesus sent us an Advocate, a Helper and a Comforter. It is the Holy Spirit. 

Jesus wants us to call out for him. He will give us help, hope and comfort. 

Why?. Because Jesus loves us more than anything else.

research help: ' Mini Devotions to refresh your heart' by Christian Art Publishers

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

God Reflections: Ecclesiastes 9

God Reflections: Ecclesiastes 9 by ric gustafson

Every child wants the approval of their parents. Even as adults, we long for acceptance. We think that God is disappointed with us. We are worried that God is bothered by our actions and let down by our choices. 

The truth is God cares for us more than we think. God cares about our heart more than rules. God is pleased by us. Not the other way around.

As a Christian, we need to honor God with our actions. Our actions do not validate our salvation. It is comforting to know that God has a constant approval of you. God will always accept you.

God loves you more than anything else.

research help: ' When God thinks of you he smiles' by Broad Street Publishing

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

John and Caroline page 9

 John and Caroline page 9 by ric gustafson

In March 1991, Senator Edward Moore Kennedy was spending time at the family's Palm Beach estate. He looked horrible. Overweight in an ivory golf shirt and matching shorts. A tumbler of scotch in his hand. His eyes were red. His face was paunchy. He looked terrible.

In March of 1991, Senator Ted Kennedy was 59. He had been a Senator for about 30 years. When Jack Kennedy became President, Ted took over his brother's Senate seat.

As Senator, Ted Kennedy sponsored hundreds of bills. He was also a surrogate father to Jack's and Bobby's children. 

Ted Kennedy married Virginia Joan Bennett in 1958. Son Teddy Jr went to the University of Connecticut School of Law. Eventually, he dealt in litigation and disability issues. Daughter Kara married real estate developer Michael Allen. Ted's youngest son Patrick went into politics. At age 27, Patrick Kennedy became the youngest member of Congress.

research help: ' The Kennedy Heirs' by J Randy Taraborrelli

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

God Reflections: Ephesians 5

 God Reflections: Ephesians 5 by ric gustafson

Our time on this sinful earth is short. We only have so many days. We can use our limited time here wisely or not wisely. Some people get very upset when their time is wasted. Some people think praying is a waste of time. In Ephesians 5, The Apostle Paul thinks otherwise. God wants us to pray to him constantly. 

Praying is not wasted time. God wants us to pray and then listen.

Why?. Because God loves us more than anything else.

research help: ' Mini Devotions to refresh your heart' by Christian Art Publishers

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

God Reflections: Joshua 3

God Reflections: Joshua 3 by ric gustafson

The Israelites had been wandering in the wilderness for 40 years. Then one day, they came to a grove of acacia trees. These trees were just east of the Jordan River. Finally, the people were about to enter the Promised Land. Joshua 3 says sanctify yourselves for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you. 

When the people came up to the Jordan River, the priests were challenged?. Would the swollen water of the Jordan keep them from crossing?. Would the people be swept away in the water?. 

The priests stepped into the water by faith. God backed up the water all the way to a village called Adam. God removed the threat. Faith won out over fear. 

The people followed the priests across a dry river bed to the Promised Land.

Whatever God is calling you to do for him, like the priests take the first step.

God loves you more than anything else.

research help: ' Places in the Bible' by Woodrow Kroll

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

Wine page 7

Wine page 7 by ric gustafson

Grape skins contain tannin. Red wine contains more tannin than white wine. Tannin is the backbone of wine. Tannin acts like a preservative. Red wine can age far longer than white wine because of tannin. Cabernet Sauvignon has a significant amount of tannin. Pinot Noir has only a moderate amount of tannin. 

When you have bitter tannin to the juice, stems are usually removed by putting the grape bunches into a machine. The machine is called a crusher destemmer. With less tannic varieties such as Grenache or Pinot Noir, the stems are left.

Today, red wine is fermented in stainless steel tanks. These tanks are easier to clean and easier to control temperature. Winemakers can use cultured yeasts. This can help with control and rate of fermentation. The speed of fermentation affects the flavor of the wine. Slower fermentation produces more complex wine.

Fermentation is a chemical reaction during which carbon dioxide gas and heat are thrown off. Yeast converts grape sugar into alcohol. Then carbon dioxide bubbles up from the mass and pushes the skins up to the surface. 

Allowing the sugar to become alcohol can take several days to a few weeks. Then wine becomes dry. Ripe grapes contain an amount of sugar that will result in wine containing 8 to 15 percent alcohol. 

research help: ' The Wine Bible' by Karen MacNeil

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

Beatles Anthology page 14

 Beatles Anthology page 14 by ric gustafson

My name is Ringo Starr

On Madryn Street, we had a two bedroom house. One for my Mum. One for me. My grandparents lived on Madryn Street. My dad was gone. I was an only child. I was brought up by my grandparents and my mother. One of my saddest moments is when my Grandfather died. I was 19 or 20. I started school at St Siles. It was just up the road from our house.

At 6 and a half, I became deathly ill. My appendix burst. I had peritonitis. It was a heavy operation. Because of all the time recovering, I did not go back to school for two years.

Then we moved to the Dingle. It was a rough area of Liverpool. I had a couple of friends I spent time with. Merchant Seamen would bring back records and styles of clothes. 

My first musical memory about age 8 was Gene Autry.

research help: ' Beatles Anthology' by the Beatles

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

Paul Simon page 1

 Paul Simon page 1 by ric gustafson

Paul Fredric Simon was born on Oct 13 1941 in Newark New Jersey. Before his second birthday, the family moved to Kew Gardens Hills in Queens New York. Paul's uncle was Lee Schulman. He was a graphic artist who lived in Kew Gardens Hills. The area was a middle class neighborhood. Rows of attached and semiattached homes to the Simon family seemed like the American dream.

Paul loved music. His father Lou bought Paul a Stadium acoustic guitar. When he turned 13, Paul's brother Edward was born on Dec 14 1945.

To friends and family, the Simon family was a happy one. Paul's parents met through music. Belle Schulman met Paul's father Lou. Lou was playing in a band. 

They married on Sept 15 1938 in Newark. Both Belle and Lou were children of immigrants.

research help: ' Paul Simon the life' by Robert Hilburn

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

God Reflections: Psalm 139

 God Reflections: Psalm 139 by ric gustafson

We were not created by God quickly. God created us with intention and thoughtfulness. God as the loving maker crafted our personalities and preferences. God was pleased when he created us. According to Psalm 139, I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. 

We are God's masterpiece. God delights in us more than anything else. God does not regret how he made us. He does not regret creating us. We are unique. We have a special purpose in this world. 

God loves you more than anything else.

research help: ' When God thinks of you he smiles' by Broad Street Publishing

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

God Reflections: Isaiah 49

 God Reflections: Isaiah 49 by ric gustafson

We are always forgetting things. We forget car keys, meetings and anniversaries. The truth is God will not forget you. Isaiah 49 says though she may forget, I will not forget you. God is saying these things with pure joy, deep comfort and sublime refreshment. 

We forget things. God will not. Our Creator King loves us and cares deeply for us. We might feel abandoned and alone. But God will never forget us. Why?. Because he loves us more than anything else.

research help: ' Mini Devotions to refresh your heart' by Christian Art Publishers

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

God Reflections: Matthew 5

 God Reflections: Matthew 5 by ric gustafson

Too much salt is not good for us. At the time of Jesus, salt was very important. Before now with processed food, salt was a critical flavor and natural preservative. 

We are called to preserve the good ways of a good God. We have been called to bring the flavor of joy and expectation to people living in hopelessness.

God wants us to be salt and goodness. Why?. Because God loves us more than anything else.

research help: ' Mini Devotions to refresh your heart' by Christian Art Publishers

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

Doc Holliday page 4

 Doc Holliday page 4 by ric gustafson

Not far from the hotel he was staying at, Doc Holliday stared at a vacant storefront. Wearing a dark suit, a gold watch chain around his middle and a narrow brimmed hat, he stuck his pistol in his waistband. 

His stare became a grin. This storefront would be perfect for his new dental practice. He was trained to be a dentist. That is why his nickname was Doc. The first thing he did was rent the storefront by the month. Then he went to a cabinetmaker. He ordered a reclining chair with a padded headrest. His plan was to open shop within the week. 

Later that evening, Holliday walked through the sporting district. The district covered 3 city blocks. Holliday had a drink at some of the dives. 

Holliday's favorite game was draw poker. Jacks or better to open. Check and raise permitted. The dive he chose to be his favorite was the Acme Gaming Palace. 

That first night, Holliday was 50 dollars ahead.

research help: ' Doc Holliday' by Matt Braun

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

God Reflections: Psalm 119

 God Reflections: Psalm 119 by ric gustafson

There is a theory that the Apostle Paul had an eye disease. He may have had failing vision. He may have had trouble with his eyesight, he did not have trouble with his spiritual eyesight. Psalm 119 says open my eyes to see the wonderful truths in your instructions. 

We need a spiritual eyesight so we can see the glory and the goodness of God in the land of the living. Let's increase our spiritual vision on the truths of God's Word.

God loves us more than anything else.

research help: ' Mini Devotions to refresh your heart' by Christian Art Publishers

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

God Reflections: Romans 12

 God Reflections: Romans 12 by ric gustafson

By ourselves or with others, The Apostle Paul has instructions for us to follow. According to Romans 12, Paul tells us to give your body to God. Paul says our body should be a holy and living sacrifice. A sacrifice God will find acceptable. Paul says this is truly the way to worship him. 

Each day we need to feel comfortable in the acceptance of a Savior who's always working in us and through us to bless the world.

Jesus loves us more than anything else.

research help: ' Mini Devotions to refresh your heart' by Christian Art Publishers

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

God Reflections: John 6

 God Reflections: John 6 by ric gustafson

We love eating bread. We love toast. When we eat normal bread, after a period of time we want more. In John 6, Jesus explains that he is the Bread of Life. Jesus says your ancestors ate manna in the wilderness. They all died. Jesus tells us that his bread from heaven will never die. Jesus explains that he is the living bread that came down from heaven. Jesus says that anyone who eats this bread will live forever.

Jesus loves us more than anything else.

research help: ' Mini Devotions to refresh your heart' by Christian Art Publishers

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

Wine page 6

 Wine page 6 by ric gustafson

We have had wine for over 5000 years. Wine is a natural complex process. It is called fermentation. In the 1850's, Louis Pasteur did research which linked sugar's conversion to alcohol. This is called fermentation. Living organisms were called yeasts.

Until World War II, most wines were white or red wine. The other exception was fortified wine. This included sherry, port and champagne. By the 1960's, temperature controlled stainless steel tanks were introduced. Winemakers then could sculpt a wine's aroma, flavor, texture and finish. 

At harvest, the emphasis shifts to the cellar. The juice of both red and white grapes is almost colorless. During fermentation, heat is generated. Alcohol is generated. The color of the grapes is from the color pigment from the skins. This tints the surrounding wine. With white wine, the skins are separated from the juice before the juice is fermented. This happens with white wine made from red grapes. 

Next we will look at the making of red wine.

research help: ' The Wine Bible' by Karen MacNeil

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric