Author: pastor.gerooney@gmail.com

Then Samson prayed to the LORD, “O Sovereign LORD, remember me. O God, please strengthen me just once more and let me with one blow get revenge on the Philistines for my two eyes.”  Judges 16:28 (Chapters 13-16)

Samson was a maverick judge, set apart by God from the moment of his conception.  But, his story is one of dysfunctional relationships with pagan women and revenge against his enemies.  He was given great power to conquer the Philistine oppressors of Israel, but by his reckless and disrespectful behavior, he lost his power and connection to God.

This man that could slay lions barehanded and catch foxes, tie their tails together and light them on fire to avenge a wrong then kill 1,000 men with the jawbone of a donkey, was brought to total enslavement when his eyes were gouged out and he was harnessed to a prison mill like an animal. All because his carnal instincts drove him instead of God.

The Philistines were an advanced civilization along the Mediterranean Sea and were moving inland by means of infiltration rather than war. They worshiped the god Dagon. Samson was brought up from his pit as part of an entertainment in Dagon’s temple. As his last earthly act, he cried out to God to return his strength and he pushed the temple’s columns down killing himself and thousands of others.

Over and over, Israel tried to use God for their own ends, instead of being a truly covenant nation with God as their sovereign. It is only by acknowledging God and His choices and values that He acts. Trying to control the Creator of the universes is folly. It is in submission that we gain everything.

Love,

Gretchen

But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Were you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Ruth 1:16

In the time of the judges, a man from Bethlehem named Elimelech relocated his family due to a famine.  While in a foreign country, his two sons married Moabite women. Over time Elimelech and both his sons died, leaving three widows, one old and two young.  The mother-in-law, Naomi, decided to return to her home, Bethlehem, and encouraged the young women to go back to their own mother’s houses.  One did, but Ruth chose Naomi and her God.

The beautiful love story is only four chapters long and I strongly encourage each of you to read it in full. Together, Naomi and Ruth forged a new life among Naomi’s kinsmen.  An upright man of integrity, Boaz, becomes Ruth kinsmen redeemer. This means that he totally freed Ruth from any earthly obligation or another’s claim to her, so that he could make her his own, his wife. 

As a bit of significant trivia, Boaz was the son of Rahab, the prostitute from Jericho, and he became the grandfather of Jesse, who was the father of King David.

Two women of non-Jewish heritage stepped out in faith. How do we offer our highest praise to the One who gives us everything? We move forward in blind faith, knowing He created us for His purpose and will use us for the Glory of His Kingdom.

Love,

Gretchen

The rolling hills we call home were once dotted with dairy farms and holstein herds. They have mostly disappeared now, but are a very pertinent part of the past, so also, an investment in today. Years ago, local farmers depended on a workforce of high school kids to manpower their industry.  As a teen, Keith would awaken in the wee hours of the morning to bring up cows for milking, feed calves and summer days were spent in fields of hay and silage. The labors of youth left happy memories of friends and their antics.

Marriage took Keith and I away from our hometown for a brief period of time, but a teaching job brought us back again. To fill in the financial gaps that occur for young couples, Keith returned to the hay fields and diary barn of a local farmer. We drove by the farm one Sunday evening after a day of sunshine and Keith noticed the cows had not been milked and the weekend crew was no where to be found. This lapse in routine spells disaster for production and the health of the cows. We turned around, went back, and I was introduced to the wide, wild world of holding pens and tractors.

From the start, I made it clear I wasn’t going near the business end of a cow, so I manned the grain and the gates. The feed bins were full, and the cows content. Things went smoothly, but the end of the milking process didn’t complete the work. Keith asked me to clean the milk room while he delivered hay to the pasture. I am one, mean, cleaning machine. Here was an opportunity to prove my worth as a country girl. He connected the sanitizer, water hoses and compressor, handed it to me and left. I began spraying the walls and stalls from ceiling to floor toward the drains. It seemed as though I was holding a mini fire hose and my arms began to cramp and tire. I thought I would rest a minute, so I bent and laid the nozzle down. Immediately the hose took a life of its own and went flying through the air. I ducked, hid and watched in chagrin as soap, water and manure rained down. I had no idea how Keith turned on the machines, so I could not turn them off, but I realized I could go to the point of origin at the wall and begin inching my way, step by step, to the the vicious spout and capture it.

Keith returned about the time I tackled my nemesis and witnessed a much bigger mess than he left, including a wife dripping in H2O and other stuff. He was shocked and I embarrassed, but soon we were both laughing at my pitiful predicament.

It was obvious I needed more knowledge than I had to competently be of help. I didn’t win Country Girl of the Year, that day. The next time I washed the barn, I turned on all the equipment myself. I also took a look at the holding pen when it wasn’t filled with cows, as I had previously stepped off of the edge of a concrete ramp and into a knee deep hole that filled my rubber boots with bovine waste matter. And! I made a mental map in the daylight so I could find my way in the dark.

How much better to get wisdom than gold, to get insight rather than silver! Proverbs 16:16

Knowledge is the most valuable thing you will ever acquire. Wisdom is knowledge at its best. Learning is always time well spent, so relax and rejoice in the growing process, even when it stinks.

Celebrating Cleanliness and Lessons Learned,

Gretchen

Thus, God repaid the wickedness that Abimelech had done to his father by murdering his seventy brothers. Judges 9:56 (Chapters 9-12)

The era of the Judges is a time of spiritual decline, but two things are obvious.  1.The stories record failures and weaknesses in brutal honesty. 2.Their presence does not condone or glorify any behavior, but shows that God never turns a deaf ear to a cry for help.

Dynasties are not what God ordains. Gideon refused a kingship, but his son Abimelech felt entitled to such status so much that he had his brothers (all 70) murdered. God did not choose him, he chose himself and through manipulation, found a following. Things didn’t end well. During a siege, a woman dropped a millstone on Abimelech’s head, but he didn’t want to die at the hands of a woman so he had his servant run him through with a sword.

For his wickedness God repaid Abimelech with shame and death. God and justice will have the last word every time!

Happy Weekend,

Gretchen

But Gideon told them “I will not rule over you, nor will my son rule over you. The LORD will rule over you.” Judges 8:23 (Chapters 6-8)

The Israelites were plagued by marauders.  The Midianites came at harvest time, raiding the fields and herds. The men of Israel had taken to hiding in caves and threshing their meager gatherings in hidden pits. During this time of duress, they sought God’s power. God chose Gideon to be Israel’s mighty warrior.

When called, Gideon was so sure God was mistaken, that he asked for strong signs of confirmation. Having his faith settled, God directed Gideon to reduce his amassed army and take only 300 men, so that all would know it was by God’s authority victory was won. With torches hidden in jars and carrying trumpets, Gideon’s forces attacked their enemy in the pitch black of night, creating a chaos in which the enemy self destructed. The land enjoyed peace for the next 40 years (Gideon’s generation.)

The story of Gideon is not one of charismatic leadership, but rather, the divine intervention of God on behalf of those who trust Him. Gideon was the last person Israel would have chosen for their hero, but God did the choosing. The simple secret to prosperity, aka, peace: Boldly trust God.

Love,

Gretchen

“When the princes in Israel take the lead, when the people willingly offer themselves, praise the LORD!”  Judges 5:2 (Chapters 3-5)

In case you wonder why the idolatry of the inhabitants of Canaan were so loathsome to God, here’s a little insight.  The Moabite’s god, Chemosh was worshipped with human sacrifice, The Ammonites practiced the burning of little children to please their god, Moloch. In addition, temple priests and priestesses were prostitutes. Sexual depravity was the free gift from government. God wanted none of this life destroying behavior to threaten His people, but Israel continued to walk past all warnings and wandered toward destruction.

In a male dominated world, two women took initiative and won a great battle for Israel.  Deborah was both prophet and judge. A woman of great authority.  She received divine direction to share with her military leader.  He hesitated to obey until she agreed to enter into battle with him. As combat began, a sudden storm bogged down the opposing forces of Jabin, king of Canaan, allowing Israel victory.  Sisera, Jabin’s military leader was the sole surviver. He fled, escaping to the tent of Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite. Jael, as a woman, would have limited experience beyond her own home, but when good vs. evil was presented, her one skill, pitching a tent, was all she needed. She pretended hospitality, only to murder Sisera with a hammer and tent peg when he fell asleep.

The narrative of Judges is a repeated pattern of obedience bringing prosperity and sin bringing despair. One constant is the authority, power and faithfulness of The One True God. Your faith is well placed when it is placed in Him.

Love,

Gretchen

‘And you shall not make a covenant with the people of this land, but you shall break down their altars.’ Yet you have disobeyed me. Why have you done this? Judges 2:2 (Chapter 1-2)

After Joshua’s death, the nation of Israel became a confederacy of twelve independent tribes with one common God. They were to be a Theocracy, but the original ‘tuff as nails’ generation, that walked across the Jordan River on dry land, was slowly growing old and dying. The young did not take God seriously.  He meant for them to destroy the pagan cultures that existed in the land He had given them. They did not do this, and these people and their idols were a constant trial.  Israel quarreled among themselves and were attacked by enemies trying to exterminate them. There was fighting within and without.

A constant pattern of ‘every man doing what was right in his own eyes’ was the down fall of this nation. These people would step away from God, prostitute their souls to the idols of their neighbors and when that so called ‘god’ didn’t give the happy ending they were seeking, they repented and returned to correct obedience and worship.  When they served God, they prospered. Serving idols brought misery.

Worship cannot be a part-time endeavor nor can obedience be pick and choose. It’s all or nothing. By God’s own words, He is jealous. He doesn’t want our subjection as a trade for prosperity, but because we love Him and He loves us. He will not share you with that which will destroy you. Would you want him to?

Have a Happy Hallows Eve,

Gretchen

But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the river, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land your are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD. Joshua 24:15 

Joshua has led the people as God directed and now his life is coming to an end and he is not appointing a successor.  Just as a dying parent would draw their children close and give them wisdom from experience for guarantees of success and security, Joshua does the same for Israel.

In his final address, Joshua urged Israel to guard themselves against idolatry. The gods’ of Egypt and Canaan were a combinations of pagan religion and free indulgence of earthly desires. It takes exceptional diligence to withstand this allure.

These people have the Law, written in many places, many times. Joshua’s last words recall all that God has faithfully done before their eyes. To the gathered masses Joshua declares, “I know who God is and I will serve Him alone. The rest is up to you.”

It is up to you.  God is good and faithful, holy and just, but He won’t force you to serve Him, it is your free will.  Be exceptional and follow Him.

Love,

Gretchen

All these kings and their lands Joshua conquered in one campaign, because the LORD, the God of Israel, fought for Israel.  Joshua 10:43  (Chapters 9-22)

Canaan was the term given to all land along the Mediterranean coast of modern day Lebanon and Israel, inland to the Jordan River. All residing there were broadly known as Canaanites. Canaan consisted of several city states, ruled by kings that were subject to Egypt’s pharaoh.

Gibeon was an important city. At word of Jericho and Ai’s fatal end, the king of Gibeon employed a fictitious story to convince Israel to make a peace treaty with them. Israel did not consult God, prompting an instant war, when all the other kings of Canaan formed an alliance to defeat Israel.  God fought Israel’s battles and they settled the land of their inheritance. However, small bands of Canaanites remained and after Joshua’s death, they became troublesome for Israel.

Daily God led and sustained these people through miraculous intervention, but three times He changed the order of nature to assist His greater purpose.  He held back the waters of the Jordan River, He brought down the walls of Jericho and in the battle against five Amorite kings, God extended daylight to the benefit of Joshua’s forces.

These battles paint a picture of a brilliant and blood thirsty military power.  Remember that the judgement of these pagan people was brought about by their refusal to submit to the One True Sovereign God.  As seen in the story of Rahab, believing changes the course of your destiny. Yes, blood was shed, but opportunity for life always comes before death.

Love,

Gretchen

When my dad and I are together we talk shop.  We have much in common. He ministers, I minister. He’s a lefty, so am I. I don’t cook, he is well fed by my mother’s culinary expertise. His house is ruled by a tiny, spoiled, long wheelbase dog and I have a similar pet. Not long ago I drove into mom and dad’s yard, weary from the labors of my life. They encouraged me to curl up in a comfy chair, tuck my feet under and relax. We sat in quiet comfort and soon their little dachshund jumped onto my dad’s lap and snuggled up on his chest. This small act began an object lesson worth sharing.

Our respective pets are equally rotten. Mine, a French Bassett named Ellie, has no amazing tricks and no desire to learn any. I don’t need her to be brilliant. Her purpose is companionship and comfort. Mitzi, the dog cousin, similarly lacks social and athletic skills.  However, we reflected on how much both our pets know.  Ellie knows work days from Saturdays. She seeks to remain invisible in the early morning hours of school days. Arising from her slumber means she must go out, thus getting her paws and low-riding belly wet.  However, when her master gathers his wallet, keys and pocket change off the kitchen counter, she knows he’s heading out the door to work, somewhere she adores going. She jumps off the bed and heads to the front door, excited to exit with a known plan. She comprehends the words ‘go’, ‘hop in’ and her name, but notice the absence of ‘no?’  She also recognizes Keith’s car motor from mine.  She does the happy dance when he comes home. When my keys rattle the door, she remains where she lays. My dad’s furry ball of contentment is much like ours.  We admit we don’t need a high performing, show dog, just something to love and draw comfort from their presence.

There is limited communication between humans and their domestic animals. We speak one language and they another, but each does their best to accommodate this gap in understanding. I think every pet lover has thought, “I wish I knew what was going on in that little brain of his/hers.” And probably, the pets are thinking, “I really wish I knew why my human does the things he does. No matter, I will remain and follow.”

There are parallels to this communication barrier, and our ability to understand and talk to God.  We do not speak ‘God’. Our minds are unable to comprehend all that He is and does, but He speaks all the languages of our heart.  He gets both the verbal and nonverbal messages of our lives. What peace, to know that God knows!

I truly wish my dog would understand that I disapprove when she poops in inappropriate places.  She has no shame and I follow in love, cleaning up the mess and removing it, to be forever forgotten.  In return, she loves and remains a dependable, constant companion, with ear piercing words/barks of praise that I DO clearly understand.

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD. “As the Heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”  Isaiah 55:8-9

When the actions and language of God seem foreign or incomprehensible, know that He is Good. It will be enough.

Good Tidings,

Gretchen