Holding Heaven page 7

 Holding Heaven page 7 by ric gustafson

" Four men and a boy walked in. I could tell they were shepherds".

An older shepherd spoke up. " Is there a baby here?".

Joseph stared at the shepherd. " Why do you ask?".

" We mean no harm". The elder shepherd grinned. " An angel of the Lord told us to come and not be afraid".

" What did this angel tell you?".

" He was bringing us good news of great joy". The young boy was staring at the baby. " This is my son Shimon".

" What was the good news the angel proclaimed?".

" That the Messiah was born tonight in Bethlehem".

" How did you know where we were?".

" The star up above and that the baby was in a manger wrapped in strips of cloth".

" They came in. You were settled next to your mother. They knelt before you. They thanked God for you".

Jesus yawned. 

" We need to get you back". Joseph smiled. " I will continue the story later".

research help: ' Holding Heaven' by Jerry B Jenkins and Ron DiCianni

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

Holding Heaven page 6

 Holding Heaven page 6 by ric gustafson 

Jesus looked at Joseph.

" I will continue my story".

" After thanking the Innkeeper, I secured the donkey. I grabbed a rake and made a private area made of hay for your mother. From the last of our foodstocks, I ate. Your mother did not. I made a bed of hay for your mother. Then her labor started. I built a small fire. While your mother was in labor, I held her hand".

" When you came, I did what the midwife told me to do. Your mother wiped you dry and then wrapped you tightly in cloth. When your mother could no longer keep her eyes open, she asked me to hold you. When I had you in my arms, I felt as if I was holding heaven. Later while I slept, your mother was holding you. 

When we were both awake holding you, I heard a noise from the entrance to the stable. Then I heard a strange voice.

" This has to be the place".

research help: ' Holding Heaven' by Jerry B Jenkins and Ron Dicianni

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

Psalms: Psalm 37

 Psalms: Psalm 37 by ric gustafson

Be still before the Lord. And wait patiently for him. Do not fret when people succeed in their ways. When they carry out their wicked schemes. Refrain from anger and turn from wrath. Do not fret it leads only to evil. For those who are evil will be destroyed. But those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land. A little while and the wicked will be no more. Though you look for them they will not be found. But the meek will inherit the land. And enjoy peace and prosperity.

What fears are you facing today?. How do you respond to fear?. Do you fret?. So how do we hope in the Lord?.

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

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

Countdown 1960 page 4

Countdown 1960 page 4 by ric gustafson

Fidel Castro was pacing in his office. Earlier in the day, 104 people had been convicted of trying to overthrow his government. Castro turned the coup attempt into a media triumph. Castro was popular across the Caribbean. Castro acted larger than life wearing fatigues and always having a Cuban cigar.

Castro worked hard for the people. He also gained new enemies. He needed new friends. He turned to the Soviet Union. Castro had an open hostility toward the US. He was mad because the US was trying to squeeze his country out of the sugar market. That would ruin Cuba's economy.

Castro was determined not to let the US ruin his country. He met with Soviet Deputy Premier Anastas Mikoyan. The two countries signed a trade deal. Mikoyan hoped it would help sustain the Soviet economy. Castro was eager to exchange sugar for Russian fuel.

Above all, Castro wanted to hang onto his power.

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

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric

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