Category: Uncategorized

Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. I Corinthians 16:13

These words are part of the conclusion to Paul’s second letter to the church in Corinth. (Letter number one has been lost to the ages.) A commercial metropolis of Greece, it was one of the largest, richest and most important cities of the Roman Empire. Paul had stayed in this city a year and a half and founded one of the greatest early churches in the shadow of Athenian polytheism and philosophy. Even so, this group struggled with factions, immorality, offerings to idols, abuses of sacraments, false prophets, marital problems and worship behavior. 

Paul addresses all the above, but it took a very short time for people with personal agendas to see this new and influential group as a networking opportunity and steer the church and its leaders into politics. Paul warns strongly against this. The Works of God are not for the kingdoms on earth, but for the Kingdom in man’s heart. We are called to remain strong in faith in the power of Jesus’ love that brought about His sacrificial death and resurrection, and be courageous in delivering a true Gospel of truth and peace. Keep your eye on the Kingdom of Heaven and don’t be distracted by the kingdoms of earth that will disappoint and pass away.

In Strength, 

Gretchen

And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith. Matthew 21:22

These words, in red, are the ending phrase of the event of the withering fig tree. On His way back to Jerusalem, Jesus sought fruit from a fig tree to appease His hunger. It had no fruit, just lovely leaves. With the disciples as witnesses, Jesus declared the tree would never bear fruit. The verse above is the reiteration of His divine power over all things and judgement on the unfruitful. 

There are two words within this verse that are extremely important, “In Prayer.” Our faith, and our desired outcomes, must be aligned with God’s will and purpose. When these two things are in place, the impossible is no more and there will be a miraculous recognition of God’s presence, perfect wisdom and flawless timing in all things. 

We seek many things, but the simple desire of the pure heart is peace, harmony, well-being and contentment. I ask, how much of this is settled in a prayer of faith to Him who is All Knowing and All Mighty?

May you find rest in faith,

Gretchen

Who is wise? Let them realize these things. Who is discerning? Let them understand. The ways of the LORD are right; the righteous walk in them, but the rebellious stumble in them. Hosea 14:9

The path of least resistance leads to crooked rivers and crooked men. – Henry David Thoreau.

The entire book of Hosea is God saying make good choices or horrible consequences will rain down. Sometimes it’s tough to hear, but it is a very serious reality.

God is my creator and the lover of my soul, Jesus is my savior and has paid my redemption. I walk daily in the reality of my second chance……..and my third and fourth…….millionth. Through Christ’s blood we always have another chance. But there are two myths many people have bought into.

Myth 1. Human life gives you second chances.
Truth-IT DOES NOT! Time marches on, broken truth leaves fissures, moments/opportunities come and go quickly never to return, hurt people don’t hang around. Odds are you won’t get a second chance.

Myth 2. People are born with dispositions toward wisdom or rebellion. It’s just fate.
Truth-There’s a great deal of theology to be hashed out here but in simple terms, God Loves His Creation and that is YOU! He has gone to every extreme to redeem you and bring you to eternal life. It’s a choice NOT fate.

Wisdom is a choice. It is a good choice. God always honors your request for it.
Rebellion is a choice. It is easy, lazy and bad. Guaranteed, you won’t like the outcome.

Praying for you all because I love you too!!

Gretchen

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.Proverbs 3:5

The word ‘all’ packs a huge punch for three little letters, two of which are the same. It is a pronoun, an adverb or just a noun, but it refers to the whole quantity or extent of a particular group or thing. When ‘all’ is done, there is nothing left. So……if we do indeed apply this spiritually, then it is the full extent of our heart with nothing left except a childlike faith all we need and ‘all’ is well. 

And! If we are commanded to resist leaning on what we ourselves can learn, comprehend, process, understand and regurgitate, then the better choice is to put our dead weight onto that which has all knowledge and wisdom, our Good, Good Father! 

Love,

Gretchen

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Romans 15:13

Hope, Joy, Peace, three of the four focal points of Advent, the season of waiting for a Messiah’s arrival. Love is the fourth, the capstone, the anchor, the tie that binds them all together as One through Faith. 

Hope is our motivation and inspiration bringing joy and peace that is beyond human comprehension. It is a gift given in an abundant measure far beyond man’s resources. The final point in this passage of Romans is a rest, not a death, but a physical and mental rest found only when all crises are lifted, needs are met and mediation has achieved reconciliation and restitution. Sounds impossible? Do what this verse infers: Activate the power of the Holy Spirit, for He is the active God among us and He will bring our hope to someday’s sight. 

Merry Very Early Christmas,

Gretchen 

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

Paul’s life mission was to teach Gentiles that they can become Christian without becoming Jewish Proselytes, angering those who held tightly to prejudice against all who were not circumcised. The early Christian church was on the brink of dividing when the Body of Christ can only be ONE!: One heart, one mind, one purpose, one love!

Paul believed and preached that God is able to bring harmony to all social and family life no matter the diversity. The Church was going to be built by unworthy sinful men/women transformed by the saving work of Jesus through His sacrificial death and Glorious resurrection. One Nation, Israel, had become all Nations though Grace, the gift of Salvation none of us deserve, and Mercy, the withholding of punishment, death, we should receive.

God is so Good, not just in Who He is and what He does,  but also, for sending those who clearly give us the means to know and understand His Hope through the Gospel.

Love,

Gretchen

In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus Himself said: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35

These were Paul’s final words, his final goodbye to the converts in Ephesus.

Children fascinate me and sometimes they get a bad wrap concerning their ability to share. Yes they go through developmental stages that challenge even the most creative parents, but as a whole they smile and expect others to smile back. They are givers. I have never witnessed a small child hoarding anything. They take what they need and leave the rest, or they take what they need and attempt to engage others in their activity.

Paul is one of the most independent characters of the New Testament Church. He bows to no earthly person or ideal. He’s fiercely protective of clear and true theology and aggressive in correcting those who misinterpret his words or actions.

By this description, Paul is not a guy I would want to meet in a back alley on a dark night. Except the reality was, he was a sinner, saved by grace, humbled by his lack of worth except through the blood of Jesus Christ. He was bold, not entitled, he was hard working, not selfish and the earthly things he accumulated were for one purpose only, to spread the Gospel and help those that had no voice. He had a childlike faith that we are also called to embrace. The blessing is in giving, not getting and keeping.

Have a most blessed day,

Gretchen

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1

Up until the death and resurrection of Jesus, faith had been built upon tradition and practice of things passed down from generation to generation. Yes there was written word, The Law and places of worship, but these are the things of religion, not necessarily faith. This book was written to encourage and strengthen the Jewish Christians for a world that would be hard, cold, frightening and confusing. They thought Jerusalem was about to become the capital of the universe. Instead it would be wiped off the map. 

Human nature is to seek tangible, solid, physical evidence. This is how we move from place to place, seek and find earthly justice, and stay alive. It is the substance of the visible world and validates the need for logical and rational understandings. But faith extends beyond the physical. 

Assurance in the things we do not see, feel, or hear, is a simple willingness to trust, rely and cling to all things Godly and good. Faith does not contradict reason, it goes beyond it. Without faith we cannot please God and we have no hope. Faith is the only means to survive the tomorrows we can’t see. It isn’t optimism, it’s the right choice.

Love, 

Gretchen 

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Matthew 5:6

I love words and find it amusing when two words are combined to emphasize an existing known. One of my favorites is ‘Hangry.’ Hangry is the state of subconscious anger due to famishment. It is not a pretty thing to witness.

The human body has a hair trigger alarm system to keep itself functioning efficiently. Hunger and thirst are part of this survival plan and when deprived of sustenance things begin to collapse quickly.

Jesus is making a parallel between a hunger and thirst that keeps our physical bodies alive to show us that a righteous heart will have a like longing, a survival reflex for the things of God.

Desires and appetites are a given but the righteous will seek what is good and just. It also goes in reverse. The more we become focused on Godliness the more our instincts turn toward correct and healthy choices for the things we take into our hearts and minds. The most beautiful part is the promise. God will NOT withhold Himself. He will feed your heart and your mind with a most glorious feast.

Love,
Gretchen

These are the regulations concerning contamination by mildew in woolen or linen clothing, woven or knitted material, or any leather article, for pronouncing them clean or unclean. Leviticus 13:59

When asked what her favorite book is, my youngest daughter replies, “Leviticus.” What!?….. No, Leviticus is not her favorite book, it’s the irony that she enjoys, even more so when someone gets her clever humor.

As for me, I approach this book of the Bible like the student who stated, “Only 5 out of 4 people ever use fractions when they grow up so why do I have to know math?” Why Leviticus in modern day Christianity? Here’s why, Leviticus is the spoken, God breathed Word. It reveals God as our Father and we as His beloved children, His covenant community. God is intensely concerned with the health and welfare of the chosen, setting them apart through salvation and Holiness. (Lev. 11:45 and 19:18) This concern looks different for the historical children of Israel, but the basic fact remains, moment to moment God cares that your life marches forward with healthy, ethical and productive precision.

When you wake up knowing you have more to do than hours, energy and money allow, you find mold in your storage building and your anxiety further impedes your progress, ask God to give you wisdom and guidance. TaDa!! You find the gracious, generous and unchanging God of ancient law. This God who gave directions for dealing with mildew IS willing and able to help you with the minor (and major) details of life. He is the One True God and He loves YOU!

Feeling Invincible,

Gretchen