Category: Uncategorized

Then I heard the voice of the LORD saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!” Isaiah 6:8

I add this verse to yesterday’s devotional (Love each other as I have loved you. John 15:12) to call attention to the next five words in verse 9, “Go and tell this people:” THIS people, not ‘those’ people, or ‘some’ people, or ‘other’ people, THIS people.

‘This’ is a very specific word. Isaiah was sent to a very particular people right in front of him. He could touch them, hear them, smell them. They were known to be hard hearted, deaf and blind to God’s love but God said, “THIS PEOPLE!” Isaiah asked, “For how long LORD?” God’s response, “Until there is nothing left.”

God is not ‘a giving up’ kind of God. He won’t throw in the towel on you and He won’t call it a game on those you are praying for. “Whom shall He send?” Me and you, until there is nothing left.

Love,

Gretchen

My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. John 15:12

In chapters 13-17 John recounts the last day of Jesus as our neighbor and mortal friend, or if you’d rather, the last hours before his human death/sacrifice. If you can’t tell, I struggle to define this moment of greatest love. John tells of Jesus washing his, and all the disciples, feet. In pointing out Judas the betrayer, He reminds His followers there are no real secrets, He knows the heart of every man. He speaks of what is to come, a home of eternal existence where peace, love and perfect justice will reign forever.

In Jesus’ last opportunity to speak His heart and mind, He chose words of love, for He alone knew what pure love looked like and the blessings it would bring. It was important enough for Him to die for. There really is no commentary needed, I know….. Just ears that will listen, eyes that will see and hands and feet that will do……

Merry Christmas, 

Gretchen

He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD. Psalms 40:3

The entire Fortieth Psalm is the story of Salvation and the journey of faithfulness. While salvation is a single act of faith and repentance, the journey is just beginning. Each day brings a deeper understanding of God’s sovereign love and grace, therefore, our old songs of praise just won’t do! This is not about traditional versus contemporary, but a fresh revelation of all that God has done and is willing to do in your life.

Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD. Your praise matters! Many walked through the valley looking at a mountain top fearing it was forever beyond reach, but they found God faithful. Their songs of praise give testimony of hope and victory.

When I was a very young adult, finding my way, I broke down in front of a coworker. I didn’t even know she was a believer. She quoted scripture about the order and steadfast nature of God. It was a new song of praise I had never heard, a sustaining food for my soul. Praise matters!

Tuning Up!

Gretchen

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Hebrews 12:1

Imagine you are warming up for the race of your life. You look up into the stadium, and in amazement, recognize many people that have stood in your starting position, run the same race and crossed the finish line in victory. They are now cheering for you, sending encouragement and screaming, “God’s got this, you can do it!” You are pumped and able to get in your zone where nothing distracts or inhibits.

When you need an extra portion of faith, borrow from those who have triumphantly gone before you. Stand in the power of your redemption and stay the course with your eye on the cross where indisputable victory was won!

And if you’re feeling strong today, stand in someone’s cheering section or run beside them, take their baton and run a lap on their behalf. It’s the legacy of the faithful, it’s what we do.

Go Get Em’!

Gretchen

Monday, December 22, 2025 He humbles you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that people do not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD. Deuteronomy 8:3

Manna was an original food created for the sole purpose of satisfying the newly freed Hebrew children’s palette and nourishment needs. That’s pretty awesome!

It was not God’s design that His people stay in one place long enough to cultivate fields for food, nor were they to spend their time hunting and gathering. They were on their final journey to the Promised Land. God’s plan was to love and restore a faithful people by providing all their needs.

God’s NOT out of the manna business. With humble heart, look to Him to supply all your needs, and with the greatest glories of the universe He will design a fulfilling, sustaining and unending manna new and specific to you. Growing strong and faithful in the wilderness leads to rest in the Promised Land.

Feasting,

Gretchen

 I thank my God every time I remember you. Philippians 1:3

All of Paul’s letters begin with some variation of this beautiful salutation.

When I finally finished college and secured a teaching job I posted these words above my desk so that I would never forget the gift of students and the people that invested in who I became. As the years have come and gone, my gift list has grown considerably.

Today, I encourage you to consider those you share life’s intimate moments with. Reflect on the miracle that God has woven together, tailored for you, and them, in moments we experience as time and space.

You can’t help but smile and feel all big inside.

Have a great weekend!

Gretchen

 Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which He bought with His own blood. Acts 20:28

Paul is bidding farewell to the Elders of the Ephesian churches. He is on a quest to reach Jerusalem by Pentecost where he knows his passionate proclamation of the Gospel will end with him in chains. He does not expect to ever see these friends again on this side of Heaven.

Over 200 times in the Bible, God’s people are referenced as sheep, members of a flock. I am not a person of great agricultural skill, although I know those who are. But in the meantime there is google where I find that sheep are hardy, social animals that can exist in almost any habitat in the world and they have excellent hearing. However, poor eyesight makes them easy prey to the hazards of the wild and even the tame. Does this sound like anyone you know?

Paul’s plea to the shepherds, who happen to be sheep also, is to be wary of the evil that never sleeps and who’s sole work is to destroy the church.

My friends, if I knew that I would never write another word, never see, hear or talk to you again, I would spend my final breath telling you this…..Listen to God’s voice, He will guide you and keep you out of those pits and the mouths of wolves. His loving staff will bring you safely home.

Gretchen

Therefore I will praise you, LORD, among the nations; I will sing the praises of your name. II Samuel 22:50

David’s biography is full of unprecedented triumph and devastating failure. In all circumstances he recognized God alone is worthy of praise.

Praise was vital to David’s spiritual victories:
It let satan know whose side he was on.
It turned his face to the Throne of God.
It drowned out the voice of doubt.
It kept him in his place and God in His.
It granted clarity to every situation.

Praise will do the same for you.

Love,
Gretchen

At this, the administrators and the satraps tried to find grounds for charges against Daniel in his conduct of government affairs, but they were unable to do so. They could find no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent. Daniel 6:4

Ethics: What you have when no one’s looking. Hypocrisy: What you have when the person everyone sees and the person no one sees aren’t the same.

There are many, many things to be learned from Daniel’s story, (I encourage you to read it) but the bottom line is this: Daniel’s ethical behavior made a difference in the world and glorified God to both kings and serfs.

If the only bad thing someone can say about you turns out to be fictitious, then you’re in good company with Daniel and you will probably change the world too.

Live Boldly!

Gretchen

See, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind. Isaiah 65:17

There is a place being custom created for you! New Heavens and earth!

Where, “The former things will not be remembered.”

The pain of disease…..won’t be remembered!
The shame of mistakes……won’t be remembered!
The grief of loss……won’t be remembered!
The darkness of hurt…..won’t be remembered!

Are these things going to be negligently nullified? No! They will be replaced with a love so amazing that anything we suffer will become completely irrelevant because, “Nor will they come to mind.”

It is God’s choice to provide redemption and salvation, it is His choice to forget our sins AND it is His choice to create a place where we will live for all eternity in purity, Holiness, love and peace!

Gretchen