Month: January 2026

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Ephesians 4:2

‘Always be humble and kind.’ Scripture sometimes becomes cliche or relegated to just a happy thought. This verse is one such example. These words, found on plaques, t-shirts and country songs, ARE SCRIPTURE! They are an essential facet of our Holy and pure character. Gentleness, patience and forbearance are fruits, or evidence, of a spirit led countenance. 

Gentleness is described as strength under perfect control, responding with empathy and promoting harmony. Patience? The ability to tolerate delay, suffering or inconvenience without succumbing to anger, vengeance or violence. And the biggie….humility, knowing your value in correct perspective as an image bearer, while seeing others as equally valued. In other words, your issues, DNA, propensities, economic status, etc., do not grant you undisputed access to the front of every line. 

Paul’s concluding thought is that of bearing with one another. God does instruct us to partner with others in comfort and solution. It’s how a healthy community or body works. Love is a verb and Paul is instructing these formerly pagan people to become like Jesus and live beyond themselves, thus reflecting the goodness, generosity and blessings of The Kingdom of God.

We are not just image bearers, we are Kingdom representatives. Wear your cheer gear and sing the songs, but put it into action as well.

Love,

Gretchen

Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness. James 3:18

Titles tell what service or product a person offers the world. For instance, I am a teacher. That means I lead someone from a state of unknowing to knowing (hopefully). A baker, my personal favorite, creates something palatable and nourishing. The list goes on but you get the gist.

James conveys that a peacemaker is a producer in the same manner that a farmer, truck driver, lawyer, doctor title in a connection to their contribution to society. As with any other service, the peacemaker begins with a resource/ability and ends with something of value. That beginning is the Wisdom of Heaven, free for the asking, resulting in right behavior, aka righteousness.

‘Peacemaker’ is a most honorable job title. Sowing peace is a worthy investment. The product is “On earth as it is in Heaven.”

Gretchen

Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, whom we acknowledge as our apostle and high priest. Hebrews 3:1

Hebrews was written to a group of Christian Jews that were wavering between Christianity and Judaism. They were taught from their earliest memories to revere Moses, the one who grew them into a great nation, brought them God’s law and established worship practices still observed today. Also in those teachings there grew the expectation of an earthly conquering hero that would annihilate all foes.

It is incredibly hard to accept new evidence that negates long held beliefs and traditions. This was the greatest struggle facing early Christians that already recognized God as the One True God. A poor ordinary baby that became a sacrifice, naked and alone on a cruel cross was quite a shift in theological thought.

We must fix our eyes on the Son of God, who became the Son of Man, who became the Lamb of God. He has already fought our enemy and won.

Have a great first week of 2026,

Gretchen

Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours? 2 Chronicles 1:10

God appeared to Solomon and told him to ask for anything. (vs. 7) Recognizing that he was to lead the greatest nation on earth, Solomon might have asked for power or wealth. Instead, you find his request in the scripture above. God is faithful and Solomon was given wisdom according to the unlimited riches of Heaven.

Wisdom is many things, discernment, prudence, good old fashion gumption, circumspection. It greatly increases quality of life, both by allowing us to make peace with the past and enabling us to move boldly into the future. All the things Solomon might have desired, such as monetary superiority or physical might, came about through wisdom.

God alone is the creator and provider of pure and perfect wisdom. His faithful provision is not limited to Solomon, but freely given to all those who ask.

Love,

Gretchen

Words from the mouth of the wise are gracious, but fools are consumed by their own lips. Ecclesiastes 10:12

I was once told, “Shut your mouth before all your stupid falls out.” Don’t feel sorry for me, I had it coming.

If the words from my mouth don’t leave the moment better than I found it, then …………….

Love

Gretchen

Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it. Luke 18:17

If you read Painted Rocks, you know my little flock of Kinderbirds came together to see a friend through his grief. Today our friend returned to the classroom and as far as I could tell we settled into a good new normal. While I was expounding on the attributes of an upper case ‘M’ he burst out, “Mrs. Rooney, I hear my dad’s voice all the time.” I just calmly said, “Okay.” He continued, “I hear him right now.” Me, “How does that make you feel?” His soft little voice replied, “It makes me want to be where he is.”

I knew I stood in a moment of profound truth. My precious little student didn’t ask that his father be returned to his side. His desire was to go into his father’s presence.

The silence was quickly broken by the lilt of a bright voice proclaiming, “It’s Heaven, he’s in Heaven!” and a quieter voice than before said, “I know.”

There was no great debate of theology, no offense that something so personal or religious came up in a public school classroom, in fact, I had very little to do with what happened in a matter of seconds. But I know that the hearts of the children understand clearly what I so often battle: Complete and simple faith.

Humbly,

Gretchen