Author: pastor.gerooney@gmail.com

Tuesday, March 6, 2018

For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God. Ephesians 2:8

God’s gift to the world: Love. Grace is unmerited favor, worthiness you have not earned. It is not a barter of equal give and take. It is your get out of hell free card and all you have to do is reach out in faith and take it. Grace is the manifestation of God’s kindness, His choice to love always, anyways, every man, every where.

Carnal man seizes credit for anything he can, then turns it to his advantage over another.  This is the complete antithesis of God’s abounding love.  God alone is able to save, not man’s talents or endeavors and God does so because He choses to. 

It is a great temptation to exhaust ourselves attempting to be worthy of man’s standards. Hint: Man will never be satisfied with you, but God was the moment He wove you together in your mother’s womb.  Seek to honor His love. It is by His grace alone that you are saved.

Love,

Gretchen

Monday, March 5, 2018

Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD their God. Psalms 146:5

The last four hymns in the Bible’s song book are called the Hallelujah Psalms.  Psalm 146 is the first of these. 

Jacob’s early years are marked by total lack of integrity and complete self indulgence.  There were consequences for his behavior, the greatest of which was total separation from all that he loved and gave him security. On a lonely night with nothing but the stars to keep him company, Jacob had an encounter with God.  The God that made a covenant with his grandfather Abraham made the same covenant with him.  His descendants would number the stars and bless all nations. Abraham’s God became Jacob’s personal Lord, faithful and loving.

Our only hope is in the same God that provided abundantly for David, Abraham and Jacob.  He is generous and kind.  This Psalm is sung today in both contemporary and traditional worship settings.  Find a tune and fill your day with praise.

Love,

Gretchen

Sunday Stories, March 4, 2018

Current events are not something I have ever brought to my blog, but this week my very wise father comforted me with perspective that only time allows. This story is longer than most, but its purpose is to bring hope and peace to confused and tremulous hearts and minds.
THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS

 

 

The recent Valentine’s Day shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida has again opened a wound in our nation that defies our most vigorous efforts to stitch, dress and heal.  The wound is deep, so deep, in fact, that the pain is not only an experience on the personal level of families of the victims but of all caring citizens all the way to the POTUS.  Immediately following the event, blame and possible solutions begin to fly from every sector.  All the Noise (news) Networks with their talking heads offered their diagnosis and treatment based on their political agenda and/or viewpoint. 

 

Among the comments and rants, there were many who sincerely offered words of condolence for such an unthinkable tragedy.  Anyone’s attempt to allay pain with words finds it an almost impossible task in the face of such a horrendous act.  Every attempt falls short.  That does not mean that the attempt should not be made.  God bless all the tender-hearted and caring people who spoke words publicly in empathy with those who were the victims.  The most common and sincere expression was “We are sending our thoughts and prayers.”  What more can be said that might be therapeutic?  This writer is at a loss to come up with anything better that would be acceptable for public dissemination.   These words were not intended to circumvent social action and change, but were directed to those most severely affected by the pain of grief and loss.

 

For dramatic effect, cameras and microphones where focused on anonymous bystanders for comments that some producer thought worthy of viewing by an anxious and vulnerable public. One such comment that was screamed and consequently broadcast: “We don’t need thoughts and prayers, we need action” followed by whatever prescription the speaker wanted to voice.  It is not my intention to join the fray and make judgments about possible solutions to what has become epidemic in our nation.  It is my intention, however, to express my dismay and broken heart at the very public repudiation and rejection of thoughts and prayers as a viable factor in our national crisis and response.

 

I have been thinking some thoughts about “thoughts.”  In my lifetime, I have come into contact with various theories of the power of the mind and the ability to communicate via mental waves.  It is called “telepathy” which means “the communication of one mind to another by extrasensory means.” (Merriam-Webster Dictionary)  For the sake of honesty, I do not know exactly which discipline of science is responsible for this study.  It must be somewhere in the broad spectrum between psychology and VOODOO.   Consequently, I cannot speak with even a modicum of authority on the subject.  I can relate to a quote that (I think)  is ascribed to the late cowboy philosopher, Will Rogers, “Most of what I know is hearsay.”  I have heard many apparently sane people speak of mental communication experiences with others that seem to have no other explanation outside of a mysterious power.  Let’s just leave it at that.  But….

 

 

I know by personal experience there is tremendous healing power in having a host of friends who sincerely and thoughtfully remember you in whatever predicament you may find yourself.  Expressions of sympathy in a moment of grief are healing.  To have someone come beside you with a loving expression in your time of trouble, faltering and inadequate though it may be, is priceless.  I’ll take those “thoughts” any day. 
They are not….well….nothing….they are really something! It gives me a case of the “warm fuzzies” just to think about it.

 

And what can I say about prayers?  For those who don’t pray or believe in prayer, nothing really can be said.  But for a world of people who, like me, believe big and understand little, we are going to pray on and for whatever occasion.   As is the case with my lack of knowledge of just how thoughts have mysterious power,  I confess there is a “knowledge gap” in prayer also.   The more I learn about prayer, the less I understand.  I was born in a home where prayer was a daily family activity.  I was taught to pray at home and in church.  I have heard long prayers, short prayers, loud prayers, hard prayers (I’ve never understood what “praying hard” means),  written prayers and extemporaneous prayers.  Our Lord prayed and taught us to pray.  St. Paul prayed and challenged us to “pray without ceasing.”  I have preached on prayer based on what the Bible teaches.  I’ve read numerous books on prayer  by good writers with sound reasoning .    Where am I now in relation to prayer?   I just pray.  Every day.  Any time.  Any where.  For anybody.  For anything….yes, even the small stuff.  It must have worked in my life because all I have to do is look around me and see that my life is bulging with blessings. The prayers , especially by others who have prayed for me, are about the only explanation I can give.

 

Let me do the “preacherly” thing and conclude with an illustration.  It may seem a bit off the wall at first but stick with me.  Some things fascinate me to no end.  One of them is the migration of flying creatures.  The blackbirds in fall come in swarms,  sometimes reaching as far as one can see in both directions.  Especially fascinating is to watch them late in the evening.  They are making configurations in sky to rival a kaleidoscope.  The directions, formations and precision is simply amazing.  In all that mass, some of them surely should be bumping into others and causing catastrophic results.  I’ve never seen it happen.  My question – which bird is in charge here?  Is it follow the leader?  Was there a choreographed plan for this aerial dance?  Was there a rehearsal before they left their summer nesting  area.  And that old gander at the head of the “V” formation of geese headed north in the night sky.  Is he on a higher pay scale than the others?  Was he elected by a majority vote?  Where is his GPS?  Where and when does he get his weather reports.  Is he on the Julian or the Gregorian calendar?

 

 By now you’re saying,, “Surly you jest!”  And, yes, I am a bit only to make a point.  A simple explanation that satisfies me until I get a better one is that they, as a flock, are in touch with something that we can’t understand.  Their cooperation and precision is a mystery but oh, so effective.  Oh! that the family of man could be in touch with a Spirit that would bring us together, engender a spirit of cooperation,  equip us with wisdom that is beyond our personal political and social preferences and heal our land and people!  Oh! that there would be a “Balm in Gilead” for the sin-sick soul!

 

 I know that to the unbeliever this is a futile exercise in idealism and radical faith.  But so far, our efforts via laws and regulations, etc., have failed us.  Maybe it’s time we all got together and send our thoughts and prayers.

 

Still thinking good thoughts and praying,

 

Bryan Jones

 

 

Saturday, March 3, 2018

I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of My hand.  John 10:28

If you read verses 1-21 you see Jesus likened to a loving shepherd that provides perfect care and security to His flock. In 22-39 you see the behavior of those who really want Jesus to be the long awaited Messiah, but on their terms, meeting their expectations. They become angry to the point of murder when they don’t get their way!  Jesus is unaffected by the temper tantrums but assures these hostile hearers, of the hope for those who believe with no strings attached.

Just believe.  Easily said, tough to live! As for me, there is a constant struggle over who is the boss of whom!  I know best what I need and how I need it, if God would just listen!  Crazy I know. Jesus the Good Shepherd, the correct and perfect Messiah, Lamb of God, the One I must trust and believe, is all knowing and all loving.  I am safe in His wisdom and care.

If you have created God in your likeness, you will never be satisfied, only anxious and resentful. Just be a dumb and helpless sheep. The greenest grass, calmest waters and warmest barns ….in other words, peace and tranquility…..await. 

Have a Restful Weekend,

Gretchen

Friday, March 2, 2018

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.  Colossians 3:1-3

The theme of Colossians is the All-Sufficiency of Christ. His death sealed the victory over eternity. Sin and satan’s power will never have the last word!  Jesus’ resurrection wasn’t just an event in His history, but also, those who choose to believe, you and me.  It is our resurrection too. 

Many years ago a young man proposed to me.  I said, “Yes!” At that moment, my heart dwelt in the home we would someday share. Even though it would be several months before we became husband and wife and lived under the same roof, my thoughts, dreams and actions were wrapped up in the day I would change my name and address.  My soul knew where home was and the rest of me acted accordingly.

Heaven’s move-in day may be unannounced, but the house is ready, furnished and well stocked for all the ages to come, so act as though you already live there! 

Love,

Gretchen

Thursday, March 1, 2018

Although I am less than the least of all the LORD’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ. Ephesians 3:8

Humanity is unworthy! We are selfish, egocentric, sinful in every way!  We can’t help ourselves. Paul himself was an intolerant Jewish traditionalist who persecuted Christians.  Then he encountered Grace and the kindness of an all loving God. This hope Paul found compelled him to spread the Good News and write thirteen letters that became books of the Bible. 

The man most Biblical scholars credit with spreading Christianity across an estimated 10,000 miles, was just a sinner saved by grace.  He was not charismatic, (beaten numerous times, whipped, stoned and run out of various towns,) neither was he an eloquent talker, HE WAS A RELENTLESS DOER!

Paul found that laws and traditions were empty without love.  Love manifested itself in the perfect sacrifice, Jesus, The Christ.  Paul could not help but share the treasure he found with others, regardless of cost to his own comfort. You and I are recipients of the Word he carried throughout the world.

Be relentless with the boundless Riches of Christ!

Gretchen

Wednesday, February 28, 2018

Your wealth has rotted and moths have eaten your clothes. James 5:2

I have been to the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C.  There I saw the famous Hope Diamond.  I was underwhelmed. Much ado has been made over its acquisition and possession. I expected something tremendous to occur when I gazed upon its magnificence?! Nothing, not even a tingle. There is sits, lit and posing for your camera, NOT in Heaven (or the other place) with the person that unearthed it, nor with any that were privileged enough to call it their own. Proof enough for me that you can’t take it with you and it won’t save you from the same end as every other human… death.

James, the brother of Jesus, speaks a great deal about social injustice, the exploitation of the poor and marginalized at the hands of the rich and entitled. However, James was not encouraging the church to strive for a utopian society, but rather, to guard itself against indulgences that take rather than give.  Wealth is a false sense of security. Don’t be caught in its grip.

The only means of salvation is Christ, but we are His Body, therefore, we represent Him to a lost and broken world. We must love all and serve others. There is a corporate Holiness expected of the Body of Christ, but it must begin with the determined ethical standard of the individual that knows Christ. Set your eyes on Him and He will show you His ways.

Love,

Gretchen

Tuesday, February 27, 2018

One thing I ask from the LORD, this only do I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and to seek Him in His temple. Psalm 27:4 (The entire Psalm speaks peace and assurance!)

This song is written as a praise for the past, present and future.  David knew the mighty power of God. He presently reflects on God’s trustworthiness and in faith KNOWS to the future that God will be the same, all mighty and faithful.

A king must love his palace with all its servants and luxuries, but David longs to live only and anywhere in the presence of God.  There is no other privilege or pleasure that compares.

Prioritizing the Righteousness and Fellowship of God clarifies all of life’s trials and failures and lends some gusto when you are weary.  As a king, David fought plenty of enemies. His courage and success did not come from prowess as a warrior king but a humble heart that longed for communion with the true Sovereign LORD.

Have a Great Day,

Gretchen

Monday, February 26, 2018

Therefore do not be partners with them.  Ephesians 5:7

Where the west meets the east is a good description of Ephesus. A Greek city ruled by Rome with a diverse population. Race issues existed, prejudices followed and viewpoints complicated resolutions.  Paul brought a Gospel of unity and transformation.

As a redeemed people, Christians are obligated to live differently. To know that Jesus lives means to embrace His standard.  If He wouldn’t do it, then you shouldn’t either….for any reason……  If He wouldn’t think it, then put it out of your mind, it will destroy everything you ever dreamed of!

Behavior patterns of the past, the world of sin and darkness, must be discarded. Bitterness, spite, selfishness, must be replaced with truth, kindness and honesty.  Paul states very clearly the characteristics of those who will miss their inheritance to the Kingdom and then he simply says, “Separate yourself from their behavior! Don’t be like them, but be remolded by Christ.”

Love,

Gretchen 

Sunday Stories, February 25, 2018

Flat Tires With Friends

I have known my husband since we were twelve years old.  I refuse to discuss how long that’s been, but sliced bread was available.  Some of my first memories are his dark, windblown hair, framing a silly grin and twinkling blue eyes when he showed up in my driveway on any given evening. His only means of travel was miles of dusty, dirt road on his old motorcycle, but when that helmet came off he was happy, content and relaxed. Still today, the wind in his face restores his inner peace.

Keith loves motorsports. The fellowship and camaraderie of friends with his shared passion are an added delight. When these riding enthusiasts load and unload their machines they bench race (tell fish tales), debate the newest products and innovations and share stories they’ve heard and read from other riders. Most importantly, they set aside the worries and trials of life and spend time together doing what they love.

One fall weekend, Keith and several friends made a trip to a national forest where miles of trail are set aside for riding. These guys have a very tightly ordered protocol for participation.  First and foremost, you take care of your stuff at home so no one’s fun is slowed by poorly working equipment.  No molly coddling!  If you quit or break down, you go to the truck and wait. The young guys ride to the front, and the old guys to the back.  Traditionally it’s their way of looking out for the rookies, but everyone knows the seasoned riders just want to laugh at the mishaps of the young, while avoiding an audience to their own blunders. Typically, Keith rides last of the last.

On this particular day, Keith became “That Guy!” A few miles into the woods he felt the rear tire wobbles, indicating a flat. Oh, the agony of being the problem. The reality of fixing a flat tire in the middle of no where was next to zero. As he turned to limp his cycle back to the staging lot  he began to feel very sorry for himself. The great outdoors that offered so much exhilaration, became sadly silent. It is a heavy quiet when you wonder how many miles separate you and the next nearest human. Keith reconciled himself to the hours alone, as he waited on his friends to return with stories of great adventure.

BUT!

Keith’s absence was noticed. He isn’t a quitter, in fact, he is a strong rider. One concerned friend came looking.  Long before the motorcycle arrived Keith knew who it was because he knows the sound of his friends bikes like he knows their faces and voices. Then, another purr came racing back down the trail…..and another and another. In short order, boys and men were digging through their meager tools and fanny packs finding what they could to get Keith rolling again. They succeeded.

As everyone lined back up and headed out, Keith realized he is a priority to these friends, but he isn’t special, these men that turned around and came back are.  Their character, not Keith’s, determined the outcome.

The rules of the road are clear, every man for himself, except when the friend in need is the most important thing. This kindness and friendship left an everlasting mark on Keith’s heart and mind and strengthens him still when life weighs him down.

People are the most important thing on earth.  Jesus didn’t die for any other reason but for you and your neighbor……humans!  For God SOOOOOOOOO loves the world, that He GAVE His only Son for our eternal life! (John 3:16 Gretchen’s version.)

Keep Your Face to the Son!

Gretchen

PSA: Always turn off your Go Pro when taking a potty break in the woods, and thanks guys for looking out for my guy!