Author: pastor.gerooney@gmail.com

Have you ever played the arcade game Wack-a-Mole? I don’t care for this strange amusement where you hold an oversized, padded mallet and swing at furry, mechanized rodents, as they pop through holes in a table top. There is no winner, just tickets for a carnival prize and the euphoria of concussing an inanimate object. It’s nonsense, but each day a parallel routine is played over and over to my frustration and discouragement. The dishes are never all clean, the laundry is always faithful to fill my evenings.  Even in my classroom, one loose tooth can distract the most disciplined children, and as we all agree to work for ten minutes before the next wiggle update, another crisis arises with broken pencils, lost crayons and a lunch box left on a school bus. The finish line of daily life is a moving target and failure to cross it is not an option I entertain. 

I once had a pre-school handbell choir queued and ready to perform Joyful Joyful We Adore Thee. We hearsed and rehearsed. There was no way they could fail, if they kept their eyes on me and followed. THEN! One child jingled their pitch with an air guitar, rock star flair. Someone in the congregation giggled and immediately, all little musicians turned comedian. My tiny orchestra was now a troupe of circus clowns, and the reluctant ring master left the tent and never tried that act again. It was a ‘Wack-a-Mole’ experience!

There are days I just don’t feel like bearing fruit. My love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness and faithfulness are over picked or rotted on the vine in my fragile orchard of fatigue. A utopia of jobs completed to perfection followed by contented rest, vaporized, because my spinning and turning and smacking every obstacle that pops up before me was impossible.

Why is it asked of me, if it is unachievable? Maybe because it wasn’t God doing the asking? Who’s standards am I living to? God’s are simple, Love Him with all your mind, body and soul and then turn to your fellow man and love them too.

Some years after Christ was resurrected, many came to believe that Jesus was indeed the Messiah. Soon after, life became as awful as anyone could imagine. Dreams didn’t come true for these new believers. There was nothing but Hope in the constance of The Kingdom of God. Paul wrote to an extremely persecuted group of Gentile Christians:

In the same way the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.

Romans 8:26

While my daily life, and maybe yours too, seems to be a series of bouncing rodents needing a thunk on the head, life’s finish line is constant. The Kingdom of God does not move or change. Someday, when I am very old, I think I will quietly drag my aluminum walker to the wall of some noisy game room and put an end to the craziness. In the mean time, I’m going to laugh at myself a little more often, encourage others, hold someone’s hand firmly when the path is rugged, and never turn loose of this truth, my Savior knows my need and my heart, so all is well, and I have fruit to spare, now and forever more.

Blessings,

Gretchen

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. Isaiah 9:2 (Isaiah 6-9)

Isaiah saw the LORD. He witnessed the Holiness and glory of Heaven’s Throne and the future plan of salvation. Then, he was called to preach this message of Hope. It was destined to be rejected, but the receiver doesn’t determine the promise, the Giver does, and so, Isaiah kept going until the bitter end.

Hundreds of years before Jesus, Isaiah tells of a Messiah, called Immanuel at His birth, a descendant of David, son of Jesse, who will establish a Kingdom, and draw all those who believe and love God to Himself. This Child, the Prince of Peace, Savior, would humble Himself and become flesh, to wash the feet of His friends, cry with two sisters as they grieve for their brother, take dusty rowdy children onto His lap, shake hands and dine with the socially outcast and touch the diseased to make them whole. And He kept on until the very end.

Oh! How very loved we are. God didn’t give up then and He’s not throwing in the towel today. There will be no bitter end for those who believe, for Light has dawned and cast away all shadows and we will live forever.

Have a great weekend!

Gretchen

He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8 (Micah1-7)

Micah was a contemporary of Amos and Hosea who prophesied against the morally and ethically bankrupt behavior of God’s covenant people, Israel. Fellow prophet Isaiah was thought to be a of royal blood. Micah was a small town man, but he took a strong stand against Judah’s powerful leaders. He is the only prophet to mention Bethlehem (5:2) as the birth place of the coming Messiah.

Assyria carried the people of Israel into exile and soon their magnificent and luxurious capitol city, Samaria, was a ruined heap. The consequences for unconfessed sin from arrogant people will soon doom Judah too. Micah preaches against corrupt judges, sham religious practices and false prophets that condone sinful behavior in trade for earthly comfort. They refused and the future was bleak…..but wait! There’s more!

Mercy is the compassionate forbearance given to an offender. In other words, you don’t get what you’ve got coming! The concept that God is slow to anger and abounding in love and faithfulness is as mind boggling as infinity! If you think you are unloved, or a passive thought in God’s vast universe, ponder this: With extreme clarity God has provided, through His exclusive covenant keeping, a means for every man to become Holy and exist in perfect relationship with Him. He planned and prepared to give His Son so that your sin didn’t condemn you to what you deserve.

A humble sacrifice fought death’s grip and won. Long before the cross, God was making a way for you to live, because He loves mercy and He loves YOU!

Love,

Gretchen

It will be a shelter and shade from the heat of the day, and a refuge and hiding place from the storm and rain. Isaiah 4:6 (Isaiah 1-5)

Isaiah’s book of prophecy is called the fifth Gospel and is quoted in the New Testament more than any other Old Testament writing.  It speaks extensively of a Messiah and rests all hope in the coming of a Savior that will bring an everlasting peace.  As for Isaiah’s reality, he lived in Judah after the Assyrian empire annihilated Israel, took its population into exile/slavery and gave the land to its own citizens. The shadow of Assyrian power was ever present as Isaiah watched all but Jerusalem fall.

In the opening chapters of his book, Isaiah brings the equivalent of an indictment down on Judah. They were charged as hypocrites that relish their greed, debauchery, injustice and exploitation of the poor.  Willing to make a great show of religious practices and customs with superficial piety, these covenant people chose to remain hard hearted and arrogant.

The verse above is taken from Isaiah’s first mention of the coming Messiah, a branch reviving out of the stump of David’s fallen family tree. God keeps his promises and is going to extreme measure to assure that all people, of all nations, receive the blessing of mercy and grace.

Love,

Gretchen

But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream! Amos 5:24 (Amos)

Amos, a simple breeder of livestock, was called, from Judah, to take a message to Israel. Israel’s capitol was the beautiful city of Samaria, who’s palatial residences were built on the backs of the poor. These Jewish people held themselves in great esteem as they publicly marched themselves to the temples, made their sacrifices and paid their tithes, all while cheating and oppressing their fellow man.

At the height of Israel’s military and economic prosperity under king Jeroboam, the marginalized became more so. The rich considered the less fortunate, dispensable commodities and harshly exploited them through a corrupt justice system. There was an increased interest in worship, but these people did not make the connection between their relationship with God, their behavior toward humankind and Godliness in everyday life. These attitudes spelled doom, for the individual and the nation. Within 30 years, those who were so proud became the lowest of exiled slaves.

Even though Amos speaks God’s words of warning, he ends his short career with words of hope. Our love for God is reflected in our love for fellow man and there is life beyond judgement for those who humble themselves.

Love,

Gretchen

I led them with cords of human kindness, with ties of love; I lifted the yoke from their neck and bent down to feed them. Hosea 11:4 (Hosea)

This is one of the saddest, filthiest stories in the Bible. God calls Hosea to marry a woman that will not be faithful to him. Hosea honors his wife Gomer, but he cannot love her enough to hold her to his heart and home. She repeatedly chases after men that satisfy her lust for luxury. Eventually she becomes captive to prostitution and Hosea goes and redeems her from bondage.

Like Gomer, the children of Israel refuse to put away their adulterous love of Baal and their desire to seek wealth and power from the land. God’s people, His Bride, refuse to remain faithful to the covenant they made.  Within the sanctity of Holy matrimony, or covenant relationship, there is safety and security, a haven from the world. This is God’s design for man and woman and Himself and humanity.

Nothing grieves God more than watching the children He created worship and adore idols made of sticks and stones, inanimate objects created by His hand, and void of any supernatural power. Hosea’s life story parallels Israel’s idolatry, wickedness, captivity and restoration. Our sins pains our loving, Heavenly Father, but we are not loved on our merit, but on His choice and character. No matter what you have done or where you are coming from, you are, and always will be, loved and cherished!

Have a lovely day,

Gretchen

From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the LORD his God. He said: “In my distress I called to the LORD, and He answered me. From the depths of the grave I called for help, and you listened to my cry. Jonah 2:1-2

The kingdoms of Israel and Judah continued their spiritual decline.  They enjoyed their affair with Baal and other idols and refused to halt their headlong rush into disaster. God sent three prophets during this time, Jonah, with a special message of mercy to the Assyrians, Hosea, who  speaks out against idolatry, and Amos teaches against religious formalism and social injustice.

Nineveh was a super city established by Nimrod, following the flood. It was the capitol of the Assyrian empire, a world power that began growing after Solomon’s reign when the Hebrew kingdom divided. God called Jonah to go and preach the Good News of the One True God to these pagan people. But! They were the hated enemy and Jonah refused to prolong their life span through salvation and redemption. He headed in the opposite direction, to the far side of the known world, Spain. Jonah attempted to confine God’s love and mercy exclusively to Israel.

If you wonder whether Jonah is fact or fiction, remember Jesus compared His death and resurrection to Jonah’s three days in the belly of the fish, (Matthew 12:40) and likens the Ninevite’s repentance to his own listeners who refuse to hear, (Matthew 12:41) This story is an amazing display of God’s universal grace and divine concern for all men. Never forget, you are among the ALL! He excludes no one from His love.

Love,

Gretchen

Late one summer the Rooney adventures ended up on the shore of Lake Michigan. We delivered buses to Chicago and decided to continue north and see where the road took us. The lake side towns were charming and quaint. We explored state parks, climbed lighthouses, picked fruit in local orchards and splashed in the cold water of winter’s snow melt. In Ludington we bought tickets for a ferry ride across the great lake to Wisconsin. From there we would find the road home. The ship didn’t leave until morning, so we took a night’s rest on the sixth floor of a lovely, rustic resort.

Our youngest daughter has a horrible fear of elevators. I question, “Why? Of all the dangers in this life, why fear a tool of convenience?” It doesn’t matter, it is what it is. The night ride up to our room was made sleeping on her father’s shoulder. The next morning three out of four argued we had too much luggage to use the stairwell as every tourist in the Wolverine state joined us at the elevator. As we entered the lift with our ‘Excuse me’s,’ and ‘Pardons’ Melissa seized the opportunity to make a break for the stairs. In the lobby we realized our family was minus one and we morphed into panic ridden lunatics! I stayed at the front desk, diligently memorizing every face and vehicle that exited the property while Keith searched the building. My blood ran cold thinking of threats to her wellbeing. After many long minutes, father and daughter came trudging toward me. One face was frozen in belligerent defiance, the other begged me not to release my fear induced anger until we got in the car.

Only a few short months after Melissa exited the womb she discovered her super powers: Self will and autonomy. One means she wants her own way, the other is an awareness of her potential authority. Parent/child conflicts arose often when her will crashed against the wall of our wisdom and determination to protect and secure her quality of life and future.

So goes the story of every human since Adam. God is love and knows best, but every man wants to be boss, and since world domination is not up for consideration, they take complete control of themselves and as many others as they can fool.

“For I know the plans I have for you, and it is good” Jeremiah 29:11 Gretchen’s abbreviated.

These words, spoken to a people separated from God by their need to do as they please, are God’s call to trust His omnipotent wisdom and omniscient and abounding love.

Man cannot manage himself.  He was never designed to.  This is God’s place and we must relinquish our personal ideologies, theologies and lame excuses, aka free will, to find our correct place in the world. If you must lead,  first follow, and then lead, to the Throne of God.

Halfway across Lake Michigan we realized our child’s rebellious act had cost her a suitcase full of clothes.  In all the ruckus her baggage was left somewhere she was not and couldn’t be found and returned. But, we never pack our egos in our luggage, so we prayed that her little shorts and t-shirts, that would be too small the next summer, might find their way onto a needy child’s body, and that a countenance of love and goodness would go with them.

Blessings,

Gretchen

Rend you heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God for He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and He relents from sending calamity. Joel 2:13 (Joel 1-3)

Judah had a child king, Joash.  Athaliah, Jehoram’s widow and the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel, desired to rule Judah. She killed her own offspring to assure her undisputed throne. However, one child was hidden, in the temple under sanctuary, until he is six years old. When Joash comes of age he repairs the once beautiful temple, but still accepts paganism and later has to use the wealth of the temple to pay off his enemies. The prophet Joel speaks to this time.

Famine, caused by a swarm of locust and a prolonged drought, was foretold by Joel and meant to humble the men of Judah. Joel warned of the coming punishment, but also begins to speak of a Christian era in which the Holy Spirit will come to all mankind and will be the sickle in a great harvest of souls.

Joel called the nation to repentance because God still loves His people and longs to rescue and restore them.  In contrast, the Day of the Lord, God’s judgement, will be worse than this day of locust/judgement for those who refuse to repent. God does not want grand gestures. He seeks a broken and contrite heart that brings a newness of life. God is a jealous God, but He equips His children with all they need for victory.

Happy Groundhogs Day,

Gretchen

“Though you soar like the eagle and make your nest among the stars, from there I will bring you down,” declares the LORD. Obadiah verse 4

The Edomites were descendants of Esau, the older twin brother Jacob cheated out of his birthright. Even though these estranged grandsons of Abraham reconciled their differences, Esau’s people continued to seize every opportunity to wrong the Jews. From Moses to Solomon, Edom stirred unrest, but when they liberated themselves from Judah, they began aiding foreign enemies, finally giving assistance to Babylon in the annihilation of Judah, and luting Jerusalem after its destruction.

Little is known of Obadiah, other than his name means, “Servant of God,” and he is credited with a prophecy that is recorded as the shortest book in the Old Testament.  Obadiah delivered the word that Edom would be wiped off the face of the earth and history would know them no more. The last knowledge of their existence was in 70 AD.

These people thought they were invincible, but their unchecked anger, bitterness and a stubborn refusal to forgive was their complete destruction. God is good, loving and compassionate and calls us, regardless of our back story, to be like Him. In the unfairness of life, God is still and always will be good. Don’t get lost in your self pity and lose what God has in store.

Love,

Gretchen