Author: pastor.gerooney@gmail.com

In all Your ways submit to Him, and he will make you paths straight. Proverbs 3:6 NIV

When I am traveling and I ask my GPS to search for the nearest Walmart, it gives me directions that include time and distance through city streets and traffic but it also offers an ‘As the crow flies’ mileage. I find myself envious of the crow. Oh to have a straight passage, uninterrupted with mundane clutter and disturbances, straight to the place that holds all things I need materially.

God in His great love offers us this “As the crow flies” way of life. He has already planned the route, He keeps it clear of what will hinder, tempt, distract or discourage us from the joy of our journey with Him and those He has given us along the way. His path is straight, safe, nurturing and nourishing, but the best part is that every step leads straight to the Throne of God.

Happy Trails,

Gretchen

Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord!Psalm 31:24

This Psalm of David became a well known song sung in the Temple. Proof of this is its familiarity revealed through other scripture writers. It is quoted in Psalm 71, and Jonah, Jeremiah and Paul all three reference and quote sections of it. However, most significant is that Jesus quoted verse 5, “Into your hands I commit My spirit;” as His final word from the cross and this is repeated by Stephen as he was being stoned for proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus, Savior and Messiah. 

This hymn is both prayer and praise with grief and woe intermingled with gratitude in the midst of trouble. There is a common saying today, “It’s okay to not be okay.” I believe David knew this and so it was natural for him to humbly lay his heart and mind at the feet of Creator God, the Only Hope. He says, “Be strong, take courage,” but it is because he knows his true strength is in the power of a Sovereign, loving God who already knows victory in every battle he must engage in. And so it is with us too. Take heart! Wait, the Lord is working miracles. 

Love, 

Gretchen

Whoever does not love, does not know God, because God is love.   1 John 4:8

In the spirit of less is more, there are simply no words to enhance the relevance of this truth. Have a wonderful day and know, you are loved, you are cherished and you have great value because God gave His Son so that sin (yours or anyone else’s) cannot hold you captive. And remember, love forward!

Love,

Gretchen

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. II Corinthians 4:16 

By the time Paul wrote his third letter to the church of Corinth enough time had passed for exploitation of the Gospel to begin. There were arguments that Paul, who took on poverty rather than profit, was not worthy to preach to the wealthy and successful of this prosperous metropolis. He chose humility, manual labor, and occasional homelessness over false charisma. 

The life and message of Jesus represents an upside down Kingdom that contrasts fully with the values of this world. To be ashamed of Paul was to scorn the life of the Servant Savior, Jesus, who’s character was made known by His suffering on the cross.

Paul’s message isn’t popular among the crowds who demand title over qualification. Living like Jesus is incredibly hard! Read all of chapter 4 for a few details, but amidst all the trials and troubles, the power of the resurrected Christ is constant and faithful. 

Growing older is not an option. The toll time takes on our bodies is indisputable, especially for those who have not lived in luxury. But! We do not give up! With age comes wisdom, greater faith and stronger testimony. Someone out there needs to know you made it and have blazed a trail for them to follow. 

Testify Louder for Those in the Back!

Gretchen

Because of the LORD’S great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail.  Lamentations 3:22 NIV

Here is a verse packed with powerful words:

Not, meaning prohibition
Consumed, to destroy or expend by use; completely use up.
Compassions, a feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another, a strong desire to alleviate the suffering.
Never, at no time.
Fail, fall short of success.

I don’t need to commentate on these powerful words, but I encourage you to put these absolutes into your heart and live them as your reality.

Here is a restatement of Lamentations 3:22 with dictionary.com and Gretchen partnering to remind you of how much love and assurance you have.

Because of the LORD’s great love, He will prohibit us from being destroyed or completely used up, for He has a strong desire to alleviate our suffering, He sympathizes with our sorrows and at no time will He fall short of success in this endeavor!

You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. Psalm 32:7

This is a Psalm of David written sometime after his sin against Bathsheba and her husband Uriah. Many scholars consider it a partner with Psalm 51. It is a song of the ransomed life giving praise to God for the blessing of forgiveness. Sin is truly a prison that hold’s the soul in a paralyzing grip. David beautifully expresses, the LORD does not count forgiven sin against us. 

Humble confession removes any deceit between you and Truth, bringing a deeper meaning to the freedom only Truth can give. David compares salvation to a hiding place. Odd, is there freedom in hiding? This shepherd boy poet turned king had to hide from his enemies many years. He knew the peace found in a safe, secret place that only his protector knew of. 

Three very distinct points are made: Sin has been dealt with, forgiveness has been granted and ignorance has been instructed. 

David, like each of us, was a sinner who’s only hope was God’s loving Grace.  What does grace require? A contrite and humble heart. This is true freedom. 

Love, 

Gretchen

We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain. Hebrews 6:19 

The family of Abraham became the nation of Israel through God’s covenant promise. Now this nation was landless and dispersed across Europe and Asia. Following the resurrection many Greek Jews came to believe. The writer of this letter is speaking to them because they have suffered a great deal for their new faith. They thought Jesus would come again very soon and He didn’t and living like Jesus was difficult. Many were drifting back to what was easy and familiar, Judaism and even the idolatry of ancient Greece. 

The use of anchor is powerful. An anchor secures a vessel in strong currents and high winds. The metaphor connects the need for a reliable source of strength amidst life’s challenges Being Holy isn’t about trying harder and hoping for the best, it’s about living in Christ’s victory over sin and God’s sovereign power that always works for our good.

God’s faithfulness is our anchor, both in our future hope, but importantly, our present challenges. Do not cut rope and set yourself adrift! Remain anchored to God’s steadfast Goodness and Love. 

Love, 

Gretchen

The LORD had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you,”Genesis 12:1 NIV

This verse marks the beginning of Abram’s story. God calls to Abram and he obeys. The end………..NOT!

Abram grew up in the city of Ur. It was a major port metropolis. Residents of Ur had financial security and a high standard of living. Abram’s father Terah took his entire household and began a trek toward Canaan but stopped in Harran. Terah did not honor God (Joshua 24:2) and he died before the journey ended. But God called Abram to leave the traditions and security of his family and the convenience of urban life and go into a wilderness that would be the equivalent to the pioneer’s Kansas prairie.

Why are these details important? Because God called Abram away from what was ordinary and comfortable to make him His own; so he could become extraordinary! Abram’s story ends with the complete change to the history of mankind so you may think this invalidates the relevance of your obedience on this scale. But the story isn’t about the history of the world, it’s about becoming God’s own.

May you feel God’s abundant love today,

Gretchen

“Your Kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven.” Matthew 6:10 NIV

These very familiar words are taken from Jesus’ prayer that is actually part of His ‘epic’ Sermon on the Mount. They are a request, ‘On earth as it is in Heaven!” That’s a pretty tall order if you ask me. Was Jesus’ just waxing poetic or was He serious?

These things I know: God is Holy. God dwells in Heaven…. Holiness is the absence of sin…. Heaven is Holy so there is no sin there…..God will not dwell in the presence of sin….SO….if Jesus said to pray, “On earth as it is in Heaven,” then Heavenly things are possible for us on earth. Really, Jesus said to pray in this manner, vs 9.

Now ask yourself, “What in Heaven do I long for on earth?” (Be reasonable and know that those loved ones really don’t want to leave there and come back here.) I long for God’s power and Holiness to dwell within me on earth just as boldly as I know it will when my address is Heaven. I can’t create a Holy earth, but I can pray for a Holy me on earth. The essence of Heaven is that God fills that space with His love and Holiness. Today I ask that God fill me, my space, with His love and Holiness and my heart will be ‘On earth as it is in Heaven.”

Love, 

Gretchen

The things of this world are temporary except death and taxes (which we still pay even after death!) We are constantly reminded nothing lasts forever, not even one’s resolve, so never say never. 

As a mother and a school teacher I have been guilty of saying things like, “I promise tomorrow we will,” hoping the ‘promisees’ forget the promise made when the sun rises.  As a fragile human I have treated the above scripture like impatient children have used my words to keep me faithful. I scream, “Remember God, You promised…….and I’m really struggling down here!” 

This letter was written to the Jewish Christians of Greece. They saw Jesus as Messiah through the lens of the Old Testament law and prophets they had learned it at their mother’s knee. But as a result of continual persecution they had withdrawn and were waiving in their diligence to remain faithful to the belief that Jesus was the Son of God, their Savior.

Throughout the closing remarks of this letter found in chapter 13, the writer uses the home and practical living to show that love is shone in the moments of each day. Christ never changes, but it isn’t a rulebook that grants Him power and strength, it is faithfulness through fidelity. He was calling the readers to look across the ages and remember The Unchanging Eternal God. 

Men are fallible and yes, this world and the people on it will perish, but all across time, from its infinite beginning to its infinite end, God’s love, patience, and faithfulness have not faltered. The focus of His omnipresence is YOU! You have not and will not be forgotten, forsaken or fatherless. 

Jesus loves me, and you, this I know. Because the Bible tells me so!

Gretchen