Author: pastor.gerooney@gmail.com

For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the Kingdom of the Son He loves. Colossians 1:13

As the salutation/introduction part of Paul’s letter to the church of Colosse, these words are part of an encouragement and praise to the faith of these baby Christians gathering to worship and grow.

It isn’t the dark that intimidates, it’s what’s IN the dark that gives pause. In the inky gloom of night shadows take on a life of their own, accent tables become obstacles, rogue Legos bring agony. There is no surety in stepping forward or remaining still. Darkness is horrible. Satan dwells there with confusion, injustice and sorrow, the laws of his dominion.

God has made a way to His Kingdom of light, His Son, the Christ, Jesus. God’s love is so radiant that the light He casts dissolves all shadows (even those under your feet).

Don’t give up! You’re not alone. God is at work and you will make it!

Love,

Gretchen

And whether they listen or fail to listen-for they are a rebellious house – they will know that a prophet has been among them. Ezekiel 2:5

God commissioned Ezekiel to warn the wicked, call them to change their lives and command the righteous not to sin.

Freewill sets humanity apart from all other living creatures on earth. It is a gift of love woven into us by our Creator. He could have designed robots driven by instinct, lacking emotion, sympathy, empathy, compassion. He did not and with this freedom we have all sinned.

The Biblical narrative does not hold Ezekiel accountable for man’s response to God’s Word. God asked the prophet, His servant, to obey and go, to act. It is man’s choice to respond to God’s call and turn from wicked ways.  Ezekiel diligently followed God.

Your response to God’s call, whether it be salvation or righteousness, is and always will be your choice, you will answer for it, and God doesn’t accept excuses! He does not waver in His judgement and justice. He does not change. He is worthy of the love and obedience our freewill makes possible.

Love,

Gretchen

For we live by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7

This is a familiar verse, but it is not one I quote to myself often. I like “I can do all things…..” or “Ask and it shall be given…..” I am absolutely NOT trivializing these verses, they offer great strength and assurance in contrast to blind faith!

Oh yeah, there is no other kind of faith!

Looking back, every step of my journey makes perfect miraculous sense. I see God’s omnipotent wisdom, faultless timing and His all mighty providence at work in the wonder I call life.

Looking forward? Time marches on with me kicking and screaming into the frightening unknown begging God to give me a peek preview of my tomorrows so I can make logical sense of things to come. Ugh!!!!

Time forward is never going to be logical for the faithful. You can’t plan God’s ways, for they are not our ways, but every step of faithfulness leads to the Throne. Here’s my ‘happily ever after.’ God’s reality far exceeds my scripted plan of action.

Living the (His) Dream!

Gretchen

Keep alert, stand firm in your faith, be courageous, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love. I Corinthians 16:13-14 

These are the concluding words to Paul’s first letter to the Corinthian church. By the time he wrote a group of local people, who claimed to be Christian, were teaching the idea and reality of the resurrection was ridiculous and unnecessary. Paul vehemently reminds his readers that hundreds of people saw Jesus physically post crucifixion and a resurrected Savior is essential to our victory over death. 

Unity around Jesus, His life, death and resurrection, is His Kingdom come. Unity can only be achieved through a love that loves greater than our disagreements can divide. This is our victory over death. 

Every shiny voice that claims to be Christian must live a resurrected life. When seeking someone or something to lead or follow, we must be discerning. If it doesn’t pass the ‘love’ smell test, then it isn’t Christian.

LOVE,

Gretchen

For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7

While the Bible makes no mention of Nero’s persecution of Christians, it occurred during Bible times. In and around Rome multitudes of Christians were arrested and put to death in the most cruel ways, crucified, thrown into the arena, or covered in pitch and burned alive for the amusement of the masses. It was at this time Paul was rearrested and indicted. He knew there was no hope of escaping prison this final time. Timothy was his dear friend and co-minister, and from a Roman dungeon, Paul wrote this triumph of faith.

Paul did not wallow in his woes, expanding on the injustice of it all, he just longed to strengthen those who came behind him, to encourage and remind them it would be worth it on the other side. 

Christ, though unseen to others, had been seen by Paul. The resurrection was an unquestioned reality and Christ was Paul’s intimate companion. What Paul testimony to his friend in power and love is also for each one of us. We will not survive this life if we do not persevere as Paul and Timothy both did. Pray, practice and don’t forget to encourage others. It will make a difference some day.

Love,

Gretchen

Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Galatians 5:24

This is the concluding verse of the scripture passage containing the fruit of the spirit and the tell tale signs of a sinful nature.

We are all born with a sinful instinct. We call it human nature. It’s ugly! When we confess our sins and give ourselves to Christ we exchange our human nature for the likeness of our loving Savior.

The evidence of Christ in our lives should speak loudly through our actions and countenance. His presence gives power over sin, both yours and others, so be bold today!

Love,

Gretchen

He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with Him.” John 3:2

This is from the story of Nicodemus. He was a Pharisee, a man of power and influence held hostage by the cynical and selfish agenda of his contemporaries and personal fear of an interrupted status quo. He came to Jesus in the secrecy of darkness seeking the light of truth. Jesus walked him through the act of salvation, followed by the glory of God’s love and the promise of eternal life. (Check out verse 16.)

I love this story. Nicodemus was not noble and brave. He crept through unlit streets hiding in doorways, lurking through shadows. How offensive! Jesus’ response was not a reaction to the insult, but an act of love, completing the purpose for which He came.

The manner in which we come, the questions we bring, the fears that weigh us down……..none of this matters. It is the coming, the trusting, that changes life forever! Jesus left Heaven to rescue you. Believe and be saved.

Love,

Gretchen

Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else. Thessalonians 5:15 

The believer is evidence of and witness to the goodness and grace of The True and Living God’s redemptive work on earth, so what we do matters a lot! Be nice! 

Love, 

Gretchen

Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of Him to the other side, while He dismissed the crowd. After He had dismissed them, He went up on a Mountainside by Himself to pray. Matthew 14:22-23a

Jesus left the Glory of Heaven and came to live among us in a time and place of great despair. The political kingdom of Rome ruled over the Jewish nation. Herod, the Jewish governor, knew there would be a Messiah, he just thought his earthly power could circumvent God’s Kingdom. This was not a rogue thought, many believed it would be an earthly political power of independence for God’s chosen people. Until the resurrection………

Prior to His evening escape for solitude and communion with His Father, Jesus had been made aware of the execution of John the Baptist. He grieved. He had spent the day ministering to 5,000+ people. He didn’t just feed them, he engaged with them, taught them, listened to their burdens and understood their present plight. He also knew the Kingdom He was initiating was of personal transformation and freedom from the evil machinations of this broken world. 

Jesus did not call together the Board of Directors. He didn’t send people ahead to make sure the local businesses and infrastructure could absorb the masses the next time He stopped along the way. He went to the ONLY source for comfort, solution and resource the is, His Father, your Father, my Father, our Father. You’re always invited, encouraged, to do the same.

Love, 

Gretchen

Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Luke 12:7 

One of the greatest concerns of Jesus’ directives to humankind is Motive. Wanting to be seen and recognized is part of our nature, thus, we struggle with the influences surrounding us versus what we know we should really be. Hypocrisy is toxic from all angles. But! Only one thing really matters: God, and our engagement in relationship with Him.

This passage echoed the Sermon on the Mount and one of Jesus’ favorite subjects was His unfailing care for His people. It isn’t just a general monitoring of the basic functions of life that were set in motion at creation, but a meticulous attention to and intimate knowledge of the smallest facets of all things, i.e. an insignificant sparrow or lily. 

The message is to focus our perspective and dispel fear, the root of continuing worry, hopelessness and complete exhaustion. Nothing happens by chance and you are wonderfully, respectfully and purposefully made. Jesus takes care of you because He cares. 

Love,

Gretchen