Shoeless Joe Jackson page 2

 Shoeless Joe Jackson page 2 by ric gustafson

Our house was an old farm home. It was square with a verandah on three sides. On the north side of the verandah was a wooden porch swing. My wife Annie and I would sit on that swing on humid August nights. That night, I told Annie about the voice and what it wanted me to do.

" If it makes you happy". She grinned at me. " You should do it".

What can I say about my wife. Her hair is the color of cayenne pepper. She wears blue jeans and T shirts. She was the child of my landlady. She chose me as her occupation. Eight years later, we were married. We stayed in Iowa. I rented this farm at first. Then I bought it. 

I smiled at Annie one night. " This is ours".

Annie grinned at me again. " If it makes you happy, you should do it".

I knew it was hard for her to say that.

I carried her words in the back of my mind.

research help: ' Shoeless Joe' by W.P. Kinsella

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

God's Word: Obadiah

 God's Word: Obadiah by ric gustafson

The author of the book is Obadiah. The date of the book is unclear. The book talks about Edom. It will suffer for participating in Jerusalem's destruction. Edom was a nation descended from Esau. Esau was a twin brother of Jacob. Jacob was the patriarch of Israel. Edom took part in the Babylonian ransacking of Jerusalem. After this ransacking, Obadiah passed down God's judgment.

Obadiah is the shortest book in the Old Testament. Obadiah shows God's faithfulness to his people.

research help: ' Know Your Bible' by Barbour Publishing

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

God's Word: Amos

 God's Word: Amos by ric gustafson

The author of this book is Amos. He was a shepherd from Tekoa. The book was written around the 760's BC. The book discusses how real religion isn't just ritual. Real religion is treating people with justice. Amos a lowly shepherd took on the rich and powerful of Israelite society. Amos condemned their idol worship, the persecution of God's prophets and the cheating of the poor. God was going to judge the people for their sins. But God was also going to give the people justice and righteousness. Amos told the people seek good and not evil. God knows our true spiritual condition.

research help: ' Know Your Bible' by Barbour Publishing

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

God's Word: Joel

 God's Word: Joel by ric gustafson

The author of this book is Joel. The date of this book is unclear. Locust plagues are used to picture God's judgment on his sinful people. A locust storm invaded the land of Judah. But Joel said this natural disaster was nothing compared to the day of the Lord. Joel warned that God planned to judge his people for sin. God also gave them time to repent. Joel explains that obedience will bring physical and spiritual renewal. Even though we sin often, God offers us a way out. That way out is his Son Jesus.

research help: ' Know Your Bible' by Barbour Publishing

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

Bible Basics: a Holy Hunger

 Bible Basics: a Holy Hunger by ric gustafson

We love miracles. Our God can do the impossible. God invites us to study his Word. God wants us to have a spiritual fever. To really study God's Word, we must be ready to receive. We need  to hear God's Word, we need to read God's Word. According to I Peter, we need to be like newborn infants. 

We need to open our Bibles and plead with God to open our hearts. Sometimes the desire is not there. Other thoughts enter our minds. We need to humble ourselves like little children. Do we realize we are helpless without the Holy Spirit?. We need to approach bible study with a child like attitude. Jesus is our High and Humble Priest. We need to plead for a holy hunger.

research help: ' Help for the Hungry Soul' by Kristen Wetherell

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

God's Word: Hosea

 God's Word: Hosea by ric gustafson

The author of the book was probably Hosea. The date of the book is 750 to 722 BC. The book talks about the prophet's marriage to a prostitute and how that reflects God's relationship with Israel. God gives the prophet a strange command. He was to marry a prostitute named Gomer. Hosea was an honorable loving husband. Gomer was an adulteress. The two get married and start a family. Eventually, Gomer returns to her life of sin. Hosea buys her back from the slave market. The book describes God's warnings for disobedience. The book also talks about God's promises of blessing for repentance.

research help: ' Know Your Bible' by Barbour Publishing

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

the Great Oz page 23

 the Great Oz page 23 by ric gustafson

Glinda walked into the workshop. Oscar smiled. He was studying a blueprint. Some of the Tinkers were working on a strange contraption.

" What are you building Wizard?".

" I'll show you". He walked over to the strange contraption. He showed her the blueprint. " It's called a Praxinoscope".

Glinda sighed. " What does it do Wizard?".

" It allows you to project an image through space".

Glinda walked over to a pot that was over a fire. " What is this Wizard?".

Oscar picked up some ingredients and threw them in. A huge flash came out. In fear, Oscar and Glinda jumped back. Oscar grinned. " My fireworks is almost ready".

Glinda noticed some of the munchkins were sewing clothes. Some of the munchkins were stuffing hay into burlap sacks.

Glinda looked at Oscar. " Stuffing hay into burlap sacks".

Oscar smiled. " It's part of the magic".

research help: ' Oz the Great and Powerful' by Mitchell Kapner

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric