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Go now to your people in exile and speak to them. Say to them, “This is what the sovereign LORD says, whether they listen or fail to listen.” Ezekiel 3:11

Ezekiel is among 10,000 Israelites exiled in Babylon. He was training for the priesthood when he found himself miles away from Jerusalem, the place that tradition and family heritage guaranteed  he would serve for his lifetime. This is reason enough to give up on the life God called you to isn’t it?

God tells Ezekiel to go and tell His people to turn from their wicked ways although it is very likely they won’t listen or accept God’s word, but in verse 8 and 9 God promises to make Ezekiel strong and obstinate in the same manner of those he is being sent to preach to.

It is frustrating when people will not listen to God’s word. I listened!!! It changed my life for the better and I just don’t get why others rebel and turn a deaf ear!!! But two things are always happening in the world of free will. People get to choose, and their choice does not, nor will it ever, change the Truth. God is truth and He is never changing. Our reception or lack thereof does NOT determine the validity or power of God’s call or plan. Listen to His voice and his call.

Love,

Gretchen

Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the Kingdom. Luke 12:32

These are the words of Jesus talking directly to His twelve disciples. This scripture is preceded by the parable of the rich fool and warnings in regards to earthly ambition and leisure. Jesus uses the endearment, “Little flock,” to remind these servants that ravens do not sow or reap, nor do they have store houses, yet they do not go hungry or homeless (vs. 24).

Sometimes the minister needs a minister. Jesus and His friends have been busy healing, teaching, fielding criticism from local authorities. He speaks comfort and assurance in the security of God’s love and pleasure. A loving Son relays the heart of His loving Father, “He is pleased to give you the Kingdom.”

These words are specific to a certain group of men, but apply to all who seek to follow and serve the Lord. Our riches are in Heaven but in the meantime, God will take wondrous care of you.

It is my adamant testimony that this is true.

Love,

Gretchen

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Ephesians 4:2

‘Always be humble and kind.’ Scripture sometimes becomes cliche or relegated to just a happy thought. This verse is one such example. These words, found on plaques, t-shirts and country songs, ARE SCRIPTURE! They are an essential facet of our Holy and pure character. Gentleness, patience and forbearance are fruits, or evidence, of a spirit led countenance. 

Gentleness is described as strength under perfect control, responding with empathy and promoting harmony. Patience? The ability to tolerate delay, suffering or inconvenience without succumbing to anger, vengeance or violence. And the biggie….humility, knowing your value in correct perspective as an image bearer, while seeing others as equally valued. In other words, your issues, DNA, propensities, economic status, etc., do not grant you undisputed access to the front of every line. 

Paul’s concluding thought is that of bearing with one another. God does instruct us to partner with others in comfort and solution. It’s how a healthy community or body works. Love is a verb and Paul is instructing these formerly pagan people to become like Jesus and live beyond themselves, thus reflecting the goodness, generosity and blessings of The Kingdom of God.

We are not just image bearers, we are Kingdom representatives. Wear your cheer gear and sing the songs, but put it into action as well.

Love,

Gretchen

Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness. James 3:18

Titles tell what service or product a person offers the world. For instance, I am a teacher. That means I lead someone from a state of unknowing to knowing (hopefully). A baker, my personal favorite, creates something palatable and nourishing. The list goes on but you get the gist.

James conveys that a peacemaker is a producer in the same manner that a farmer, truck driver, lawyer, doctor title in a connection to their contribution to society. As with any other service, the peacemaker begins with a resource/ability and ends with something of value. That beginning is the Wisdom of Heaven, free for the asking, resulting in right behavior, aka righteousness.

‘Peacemaker’ is a most honorable job title. Sowing peace is a worthy investment. The product is “On earth as it is in Heaven.”

Gretchen

Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, whom we acknowledge as our apostle and high priest. Hebrews 3:1

Hebrews was written to a group of Christian Jews that were wavering between Christianity and Judaism. They were taught from their earliest memories to revere Moses, the one who grew them into a great nation, brought them God’s law and established worship practices still observed today. Also in those teachings there grew the expectation of an earthly conquering hero that would annihilate all foes.

It is incredibly hard to accept new evidence that negates long held beliefs and traditions. This was the greatest struggle facing early Christians that already recognized God as the One True God. A poor ordinary baby that became a sacrifice, naked and alone on a cruel cross was quite a shift in theological thought.

We must fix our eyes on the Son of God, who became the Son of Man, who became the Lamb of God. He has already fought our enemy and won.

Have a great first week of 2026,

Gretchen

Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours? 2 Chronicles 1:10

God appeared to Solomon and told him to ask for anything. (vs. 7) Recognizing that he was to lead the greatest nation on earth, Solomon might have asked for power or wealth. Instead, you find his request in the scripture above. God is faithful and Solomon was given wisdom according to the unlimited riches of Heaven.

Wisdom is many things, discernment, prudence, good old fashion gumption, circumspection. It greatly increases quality of life, both by allowing us to make peace with the past and enabling us to move boldly into the future. All the things Solomon might have desired, such as monetary superiority or physical might, came about through wisdom.

God alone is the creator and provider of pure and perfect wisdom. His faithful provision is not limited to Solomon, but freely given to all those who ask.

Love,

Gretchen

Words from the mouth of the wise are gracious, but fools are consumed by their own lips. Ecclesiastes 10:12

I was once told, “Shut your mouth before all your stupid falls out.” Don’t feel sorry for me, I had it coming.

If the words from my mouth don’t leave the moment better than I found it, then …………….

Love

Gretchen

Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it. Luke 18:17

If you read Painted Rocks, you know my little flock of Kinderbirds came together to see a friend through his grief. Today our friend returned to the classroom and as far as I could tell we settled into a good new normal. While I was expounding on the attributes of an upper case ‘M’ he burst out, “Mrs. Rooney, I hear my dad’s voice all the time.” I just calmly said, “Okay.” He continued, “I hear him right now.” Me, “How does that make you feel?” His soft little voice replied, “It makes me want to be where he is.”

I knew I stood in a moment of profound truth. My precious little student didn’t ask that his father be returned to his side. His desire was to go into his father’s presence.

The silence was quickly broken by the lilt of a bright voice proclaiming, “It’s Heaven, he’s in Heaven!” and a quieter voice than before said, “I know.”

There was no great debate of theology, no offense that something so personal or religious came up in a public school classroom, in fact, I had very little to do with what happened in a matter of seconds. But I know that the hearts of the children understand clearly what I so often battle: Complete and simple faith.

Humbly,

Gretchen

Painted Rocks

This was a retelling I documented in 2016. As we begin our New Year, today and tomorrow I want us to think about these simple things.

I teach kindergarten. I love children. They are honest and forthcoming, they love freely without agenda. They judge without malice. There is no better life than to dwell among the inculpable chatter and laughter of little voices of limited vocabulary.

Last spring a beautiful smile greeted me and said, “I brought you something teacher.” The child opened her hand and presented a small smooth river stone with a rainbow painted on its surface. It was an instant treasure. I mentioned the rock to the child’s aunt and she said, “She loves to doodle and I ran out of things for her to mess with so she turned to the rocks.” It laid on my desk until the school year ended. When I packed my room for summer cleaning the rock came home to my kitchen and now graces a crystal platter on my counter.

Months passed and a new year began. Classmates met and began to bond, some bashful, others outgoing, some fearful, others ready to conquer the world, but one common characteristic existed. They all sought “Peace on earth, good will toward men,” and they began bestowing glad tidings on each other anyway they could find.

A new and beautiful smile came to my desk one morning and opened a small felt purse. Inside were many colorfully painted rocks. Bashful brown eyes asked if she could give them to her friends. By friends she meant each classmate. The stones were received with eager enthusiasm. Miniature fingers and eyes examined them closely, compared them and assessed them a great value.

Then, tragedy struck our little group when a parent lost his valiant battle with cancer. How do you explain death to a small child? You don’t. You love and comfort. So as a class we began to gather and paint. Soon we had a basket full of rocks. We wrote our words of condolence and tied them to a wicker handle with a green bow. The basket sat next to a sad little boy as he bid farewell to his dad. Those silly little rocks made their way to the cemetery where devastated adults grieved a life cut short, but a dimpled little hand clung to the comfort sent by his friends.

What is so special about these stones? Absolutely nothing except, something worthless became priceless when it was covered in love.

If you visit our little town, you may find a painted rock along the wayside. Take it and let it remind you that while you were once a worthless sinner, through Jesus’ blood you are forgiven, covered in love and uniquely priceless.

Humbly,

Gretchen

Someone in the crowd said to Him, “Teacher, tell my bother to divide the inheritance with me.” Luke 12:13

This interruption came while Jesus was speaking to the multitudes concerning boldness through the Holy Spirit when faced with temptation and hardship. This nameless gentleman recognized the worth of what Jesus was saying but only as it applied to someone else, in this instance a brother’s alleged treachery.

Is it right that this man’s brother withheld his inheritance? No, but that’s not the point. Man’s behavior will never be fair. Humans err, perspective is distorted, some are downright selfish! God didn’t send His only Son to die so that we could keep score. He gave His Son so that we could overcome.

Jesus was flawless, sinless. Yet He battled Satan for our souls and won. God’s grace provides a means to withstand disappointment and live in victory in spite of the world’s cruel behaviors. It is my testimony that your needs will be met in the fullness of God’s Glory. Let this world have their treasure. It will soon turn to dust. Trade it in for joy and peace and know that you are the child of THE KING.

Love,

Gretchen

P.S. I’ve heard that gold is so abundant in Heaven that they use it to pave the streets!