Advent 2020: the Christmas gift

 Advent 2020: the Christmas gift by ric gustafson

The gifts of the Magi were gold, frankincense and myrrh. The most important gift of all was God giving his Son as a sacrifice for us. We can show grace and mercy through service, prayer and witnessing to neighbors. When we are given a gift, we can say thanks for the gift. We can give thanks to God for the gift. We can discuss how the gift was from God. God loves us more than anything else.

research help: LCM Advent devotional 2020

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

the Lord's Prayer: who are in heaven holy is your name

 the Lord's Prayer: who are in heaven holy is your name by ric gustafson

Heaven is a real place where God's fullness resides. In heaven, we will obey God and praise him day and night. We will come to heaven eager to meet God and obey him. So we pray and we wait for that day. In Jesus his Son, we see God the Father. We want a deeper relationship with Jesus. We want to be Kingdom people. God loves us more than anything else.

research help: ' walking the Disciple's path' by Linda Perrone Rooney

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

Disciple: be not afraid

 Disciple: be not afraid by ric gustafson

Being a disciple of Jesus means we must deal with fear. Jesus tells us " take heart it is I do not be afraid. Jesus desires us to be fearless for him. Jesus says trust me. One night in a storm, the disciples were afraid. They saw on the water what they thought was a ghost. It was Jesus. He told them not to be afraid. We are on a spiritual journey. Jesus is always with us. Jesus is always protecting us. Sometimes life is a struggle. Jesus says trust me be not afraid. God loves us more than anything else.

The End

research help: ' walking the Disciple's path' by Linda Perrone Rooney

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

Disciple: heal all you meet

 Disciple: heal all you meet by ric gustafson

Jesus gives healing to anyone who asks. Jesus says I will come and cure. Jesus wants us to be his witness and agent of healing. Jesus has authority and power over us. God is the source of all authority. God is the Creator and sustainer of all life. Jesus submitted to his Father's authority. God's power creates healing. Jesus had the power to heal. Jesus will heal those who ask for it. We need to cultivate our faith. We have been sent into the world to heal all you meet. God loves us more than anything else.

research help: ' walking the Disciple's path' by Linda Perrone Rooney

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

Disciple: see the good

 Disciple: see the good by ric gustafson

Jesus talked a lot about judgment. Jesus says before you judge, would you judge yourselves. Do we judge by earthly or kingdom standards. Is anyone a worthy judge?. Jesus formed the character of his disciples. They were ordinary everyday people. Jesus wanted his disciples to develop kingdom attitudes. Jesus asked hard questions and challenged his disciples. God wants every human being to have dignity and respect. Lastly, Jesus says do not rush to judgment. God loves us more than anything else.

research help: ' walking the Disciple's path' by Linda Perrone Rooney

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

the Lord's Prayer: Our Father

 the Lord's Prayer: Our Father by ric gustafson

God is Jesus's Father. God is our Father. Our Father God created us and loves us. Jesus calls his Father Abba. This means daddy. God wants to be known as a daddy who is loving and approachable. God our Father loves us more than anything else. Jesus loves us more than anything else.

research help: ' walking the Disciple's path' by Linda Perrone Rooney

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

the lonely fruitcake page 2

 the lonely fruitcake page 2 by ric gustafson

I watched as the cranberry salad was passed around.

People were still pointing at me.

What's wrong with me?

After dinner, the ambrosia cheesecake was passed around.

Then the table was beginning to get cleaned off.

I began to panic.

I was still sitting there.

Then I heard the word.

" Open Door Mission".

I was put into a container with other leftovers.

I smiled.

I was not lonely any longer.

The End

research help: original story

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric