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Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Mood celebration or a Sabbath day. Colossians 2:16

Tradition is the living faith of the dead, traditionalism is the dead faith of the living. – Jaroslav Pelikan.

Paul is speaking to a congregation of new converts, gentiles, not Jews. Up until the resurrection Jewish people depended on strict adherence to Levitical law for guidance in religious behavior. But Jesus taught that Loving God above all else and your neighbor as yourself, (Mark 12:28-34) was the key to the Kingdom of Heaven.

With the break from tradition, people were offended and arguments ensued. (Read all of Col. 2. It’s really good!)

Tradition can guide us forward, but Jesus did not sacrifice Himself on a cruel cross to assure that we worship twice on Sunday and once through the week with three songs each service, a forty minute sermon, an offering in the middle and pot roast for dinner. Yes, the Sabbath is Holy, it is a time set aside for the exclusive acknowledgement of the ONE that gave His Son, and the Son that gave His life. That is love! There’s nothing traditional about that!

Do not be held hostage by traditionalism. It is not faith. Instead be an advocate and conduit of unconditional love in action.

Have a great Friday!

Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in 
you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own. 1 Corinthians 6:19

Corinth was a bustling metropolis, one of the top five busiest towns of the Roman empire at the time of Paul’s missionary trip there. Located between the Aegean and Adriatic seas with ports on each, Corinth was the crossroad of a diverse world. These people lived with gusto, they were on the move, pagan worship was the order of the day, they understood the significance and reverence of a temple.

Paul had been preaching a gospel of love rather than law. His listeners were converted gentiles with very little knowledge of God much less Holy living. ‘Anything goes’ was the extent of their ethical and moral teaching. So Paul explains, there is a tremendous difference between being free to do anything and having anything make free with you. Where is the balance between privilege and detriment?

God’s design for your life is beautiful and uncomplicated. Satan certainly wants to clutter things up with emotional, spiritual and physical baggage. However, God saves, sanctifies and makes Holy your body and soul thus creating a perfect dwelling place, a temple, for His Spirit.

Holiness is simply the absence of sin. God won’t, can’t dwell with sin as a housemate. If you long to live Holy then you are not your own. Let God’s Holiness fill the spaces of your life so completely that there is no room for anything but His precious, powerful Spirit.

Love,

Gretchen

Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believer in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. I Timothy 4:12

The authority is in the Message, not the messenger. Verse 11 says, “Command and teach these things,” referring to the prior verse, “We have put our hope in the Living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially those who believe.”

Most people say, “I will help if someone else will take charge.” Leading is a difficult position whether you’re speaking of a flock of geese flying south, or the women’s auxiliary organizing a bazaar. Leaders are vulnerable to criticism and other’s willingness to follow. A great leader sets their eye on the goal, is confident in their mission and plan of action, then marches on undistracted. Age may grow a thicker skin and perseverance through practice, but age does NOT determine the message.

Do not let any excuse mute your voice. Live to the standard set before you: Holiness in speech, conduct, love, faith and all purity and then go boldly where others fear to tread.

Love from a not so youthful,

Gretchen

For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of His will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives. Colossians 1:9

Each of Paul’s epistles began with words of commendation and praise for those who have heard and accepted the Gospel. These particular words go out to the Christians in Colosse, an area located in what is now western Turkey, a place Paul was never able to visit personally but felt great connection to through their pastor and his student Epaphras.

Paul was an evangelist, pastor, missionary, friend and disciple. He was not God!!!! He knew where his power ended and God’s began. He prayed that this church, these people would find clear and perfect knowledge and grow in wisdom and understanding through the work of the Spirit. In faith he knew they would.

It is often difficult to do the work God calls us to, then step back and release the outcome to Him. Remember the same God that reached down into your deep pit of spiritual quicksand will reach down to those you pray for and minister to. Paul presented the Gospel. That’s all any of us can do. Don’t micro manage God!!! You be you, and let God be God.

Have a Peaceful Day!
Love,

Gretchen

Then from Heaven Your dwelling place, hear their prayer and their plea, and uphold their case. I Kings 8:49

As part of the dedication of the Jerusalem Temple, the first permanent House of Worship to the One True God, Solomon spoke these words. The request is very simple: Let this physical building be a symbol of Your long enduring patience with a human race that can’t seem to keep their eyes and hearts on You alone.

I am a steeple watcher. I was fortunate to travel to Europe several years ago. The trip involved touring many cathedrals and basilicas. Their magnificent size and beauty was indeed breath taking. Every town, even the smallest had a chapel at its center with sky scraping spires drawing the weary toward hope. So why did these walls cast a shadow on a lost world?

In America we have churches on every corner in every shape and size easily accessible to everyone. Yet, the world doesn’t come. That’s okay, because the building isn’t the sum of what God can or will do. You’ll find that in the glorious cross atop those ornate pinnacles, those spires drawing you toward the One True God.

Raise your face to the Son/sun today and you’ll probably see a steeple or two. Let each one you pass remind you that God still choses to dwell among us hearing our plea and upholding our case. Oh! What a wonderful promise.

Love,

Gretchen

The Gloomy Side of the Street

I struggle with depression. My cup is always half empty and leaking. I see the sunny side of the street, I admire it and those comfortably dwelling there. I take the occasional vacation into that blessed land, but I cannot manage to invest in a permanent residence. I do not wallow in my gloomy state. I hate it quite a lot.

I am not writing to diagnose anyone, prescribe a remedy or garner sympathy. I am telling you the story of God saving my life, over and over again. I’ve learned a few lessons as I’ve unwrapped His gift of love, mercy and grace. I wish for you the hope and joy I’ve found and cling to.

There is a standard, a quality of life that each person imagines and strives toward. I only wanted to be a perfect wife, mother, daughter, sister, Christian, church member, friend, financier, adviser, employee, teacher, mentor……If you think I might have a God complex, yes that too. I was young and naive and the only option was to grow old and wise or die. At times it was a difficult choice.

My story took me to a rural community with a small school where I served as music teacher. My classroom was a tiny outbuilding on the back forty. Students had to walk a short distance across a gravel drive to enter my room. I could hear them coming. One afternoon I was sitting at my piano, in the dark. I couldn’t find a song in my heart. My head was reeling with a multitude of failures and a full ‘To Do’ list I didn’t have the energy or resources to complete. If you think I sound whiny on paper, just imagine what God gets to hear!!! His shoulders are big though and I knew if He was real, hope was near and I could continue on. So I cried, “Dear Father, if You are there please speak!”

Within seconds I heard steps crunching across that dusty, rocky path and two beautiful baritone voices singing a praise riff, “I didn’t bring you this far to let you down now.” Over and over until one of the voices added, “God has smiled on me. He has set me free!” God spoke through two high school boys just bee-bopping along, bringing Heaven to earth. God heard my cry and He answered clearly.

I later heard the rest of this song during a visit to Solomon Grove Baptist Church for a student Sunday. I think these are the lines that layer one on top of the other as voices join in.

God has smiled on me,
He has set me free.
His love won’t let me be,
Yes God has smiled on me.

He didn’t bring this far to let me down now. (Repeated until you get it!)

If that isn’t enough, the words and traditional tune of Amazing Grace weave in and out like an intricate tapestry.

God is Good. He will answer. Seek first His Kingdom and everything else will work out! Matthew 6:33-34, paraphrased.

All my love,

Gretchen

And the rest of the story goes like this:
Sean Wright and Dwan Henderson were the two singing angels. Both have grown to be very fine men with amazing families of their own. Thanks guys, Mrs. Rooney loves you.

A few truths I’ve found helpful:

1. God doesn’t play games with your emotions and you shouldn’t either. Depression is deadly. Don’t go there. Get help. You are welcome to contact me but a professional is probably a good idea.

2. Practice random acts of kindness. Don’t spend money, just give encouragement or gratitude. You will be doing a great service to the world.

3. Distinguish between God’s call and the world’s unrealistic demands. God is loving and gentle. He protects and restores. He is NEVER cruel and abusive.

4. Make discipleship a priority, (devotionals and Bible study) especially when you don’t feel like it.

5. God thought the world needed one of you. I’m sure I do, so please take care of yourself!

For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the Kingdom of the Son He loves. Colossians 1:13

As the salutation/introduction part of Paul’s letter to the church of Colosse, these words are part of an encouragement and praise to the faith of these baby Christians gathering to worship and grow.

It isn’t the dark that intimidates, it’s what’s IN the dark that gives pause. In the inky gloom of night shadows take on a life of their own, accents become obstacles. There is no surety in stepping forward or remaining still. Darkness is horrible. Satan dwells there with confusion, injustice and sorrow, the laws of his dominion.

God has made a way to His Kingdom of light, His Son, the Christ, Jesus. God’s love is so radiant that the light He casts dissolves all shadows (even those under your feet).

Don’t give up! You’re not alone. God is at work and you will make it!

Love,

Gretchen

So I commend the enjoyment of life, because there is nothing better for people under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad. Then joy will accompany them in their toil all the days of the life God has given them under the sun. Ecclesiastes 8:15

If you ask a certain blogger’s father, “How many guitars do you need to be happy?” His answer is, “One more.” Such is life. We all work really hard to obtain ‘Just One More.” But those earthly instruments will someday turn to dust and the man that drew music and joy from them will be pickin’ and grinnin’ in the Angel Band. Seeking fame and fortune is vain.

The writer of Ecclesiastes, a book of wisdom, is encouraging us to seek a life of joy found in our relationships, not possessions. I won’t remember how many instruments dad collected, I will remember our times together making music, refinishing furniture, roofing houses, talking theology and philosophy………it is the relationship that strengthened and empowered me to face life’s trials not the things he owns.

God made us a social race. We need each other. He ordained the good things that life brings. Yes we have to work to sustain ourselves but our jobs take us into relationships that give depth and color to our existence. We do not have to creep through days worrying there is a sin behind every blessing. There is not. Hold close the people in your world and cherish the moments you have been given.

Makin’ Memories,

Gretchen

And whether they listen or fail to listen- for they are a rebellious house – they will know that a prophet has been among them. Ezekiel 2:5

God commissioned Ezekiel to warn the wicked, call them to change their lives and command the righteous not to sin.

Freewill sets humanity apart from all other living creatures on earth. It is a gift of love woven into us by our Creator. He could have designed robots driven by instinct, lacking emotion, sympathy, empathy, compassion. He did not and with this freedom we have all sinned.

The Biblical narrative does not hold Ezekiel accountable for man’s response to God’s Word. God asked the prophet, His servant to obey and go, to act. It is man’s choice to respond to God’s call and turn from wicked ways.  Ezekiel diligently followed God.

Your response to God’s call, whether it be salvation or righteousness, is and always will be your choice, you will answer for it, and God doesn’t accept excuses! He does not waiver in His judgement and justice. He does not change. He is worthy of the love and obedience our freewill makes possible.

Love,

Gretchen

For we live by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7

This is a familiar verse, but it is not one I quote to myself often. I like “I can do all things…..” or “Ask and it shall be given…..” I am absolutely NOT trivializing these verses, they offer great strength and assurance in contrast to blind faith!

Oh yeah, there is no other kind of faith!

Looking back, every step of my journey makes perfect miraculous sense. I see God’s omnipotent wisdom, faultless timing and His all mighty providence at work in the wonder I call life.

Looking forward? Time marches on with me kicking and screaming into the frightening unknown begging God to give me a peek preview of my future so I can make logical sense of things to come. Ugh!!!!

Time forward is never going to be logical for the faithful. You can’t plan God’s ways, for they are not our ways, but every step of faithfulness leads to the Throne. Here’s my ‘happily ever after.’ God’s reality far exceeds my scripted plan of action.

Living the (His) Dream!

Gretchen