Category: Uncategorized

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her. Ephesians 5:25

There must have been marital issues in the early church. There must have been disputes about who got to have the last word, and it must have been ugly or Paul would not have written these words of instruction. Christian homes are not exempt from gender role issues. However, who is designated a slave and who has the right to be a petty tyrant isn’t Paul’s directive. It is unity rooted in LOVE!

The scripture proceeding states, “Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.” There is no mention of the word LOVE in this verse, but I go to church and submit myself to worship and service because I LOVE the One that died for me! Christian community, especially families, should model a right relationship with Jesus and each other. (For appropriate definitions of love see I Corinthians 13)

Years, (I mean years!) ago my stay at home mother became ill with the flu. During her incapacitation my dad made the best potato soup I ever remember tasting for his four scared and hungry little children! He kept up with the dishes and the laundry too. It wasn’t about who was meant to do what, it was about taking care of this important and intimate relationship. He acted out of love. In turn, my mother packed the household more than once and stepped into the unknown because dad felt the call of Christ to go into a new community and spread the Gospel. Her actions were indicative of her great faith in her Savior and the husband called to serve. It’s all about love!

Have a great, almost Saturday!

Gretchen

Adam made love to his wife Eve, and she became pregnant and gave birth to Cain. She said, “With the help of the LORD I have brought forth a man.” Genesis 4:1

When I was a young adult studying to be a teacher I had to take a class called Child Development. Covering everything from conception to puberty, and all the nature verses nurture in between, was quite alarming. Simple math gave me concern. By the time 3% of children have hearing impairment, 3% have vision impairment, 3% have this or that and so on……upwards of 100% of children suffer from disease or handicap! What did I take away from this? Mankind is a miracle!

When Eve gave birth to her first born, she gazed down and saw the wonder that he was. Every tiny fingernail and every curl on his head was a most precious gift from God, a miracle. And the curse of child birth was totally irrelevant. Her baby was perfect in every way!

The human race is so much more than the result of sex. We habitually take our existence and others for granted, but you are not the will of man, you are the loving act of God. Gaze upon yourself as Eve sees the first man born of flesh and then look around. With the help of the LORD we are here. Chins up! We are a miracle, a wonder!

Love,

Gretchen

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die.” John 11: 25

The Jews in Judea were seeking to kill Jesus. The Jewish establishment was growing very uncomfortable with Jesus’ message and growing popularity. Then, Jesus learns that his very good friend Lazarus, from Bethany, a town in Judea, has become ill. Lazarus’ sisters send for Jesus. Jesus’ disciples advise against this due to the current political climate surrounding Him.

In verse 4 of this passage Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death.” The disciples thought He meant the illness wasn’t terminal. In verse 11 He says, “I am going there to wake him up.” The disciples argued that if he was only sleeping why bother to go at all? Jesus bluntly told them, “He’s dead.” (verse 14) So the disciples decide that if Jesus is insistent on going, He will not go alone.

The continuing story tells of the sister’s grief and many who have gathered to comfort them. Jesus tells Martha, Lazarus will rise again and Martha agrees that indeed he will resurrect in the last days. Then Jesus spoke the beautiful words above! Jesus is the resurrection today! Not ages from now, today!

Not one of the characters in this story could imagine the terror of the coming days. In just a few weeks Jesus would be crucified. He did not want to leave His friends and followers with no hope, not even for three scary days. Lazarus was the opportunity to show that death did not have the last word.

We often live as though Jesus is the resurrection and the death. STOP! Jesus said, “ I am, The Resurrection and The Life!”

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Gretchen

You armed me with strength for battle; you humbled my adversaries before me. 2 Samuel 22:40

David’s life has come to an end. He looks back and sees his personal failures, but they fall irrelevant in the face of God’s mercy, grace and constant presence.

THE ONLY THING RELEVANT IN YOUR LIFE IS WHAT GOD SEES, AND YOUR LIFE RESTORED. If David can stand confidently before God with a grateful heart, so can you.

Fear of past sins will destroy a forgiven present. Sins aren’t covered, they are washed away, dissolved, swirled down the drain never to be remembered again. Hallelujah!

Have a great day!

Gretchen

“Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.” 2 Samuel 7:16

This verse is the final passage of what is now known as the Davidic Covenant. David is a warrior king, but peace has come and he has united his tribe Judah with the other tribes of Israel and established Jerusalem, then known as The City of David, as the political and religious center by returning the Ark of the Covenant. David decided he would build the first ever permanent house of God. Nathan, God’s prophet to David commended the plan until God directed otherwise.

God’s response was this, “No David, you will not build a house for Me, I will build a house for you and it will reign forever.” This is known as the Davidic covenant. Solomon, David’s son, would later build the temple.

Throughout David’s story he was the unlikely hero. God saw in David what others could not. In return, David repeatedly looked to God for his identity rather than family, friend or foe.

God designed you, so let Him define you and direct you. You will forever be in Good Hands.

Have a great day!

Gretchen

But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. Titus 3:9

You don’t have to go to every argument you are invited to. – Bryan Jones to his daughter Gretchen.

This Pastoral Epistle was written to Titus who is given charge overseeing many pastors on the island of Crete. He must have had great strength of character. Opposition to the Christian messages was prevalent. Engaging in heated conflict proves counterproductive. A positive ethic focuses on overcoming evil with good.

Unprofitable and useless are strong words with very unpleasant implications. Who has time for that? However, it is hard to argue with someone doing something loving and kind. The Gospel message of hope and peace garners far more attention than petty controversies over who’s who in a moment that will soon pass away.

Feel free to turn down those invitations!

Love,

Gretchen

“Look, He is coming with the clouds,” and “every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him”; and all peoples on earth “will mourn because of Him.” So shall it be! Amen. Revelation 1:7

The purpose of apocalyptic scripture is to see the whole history, the big picture, of mankind and know that God will reign supreme in justice.

As a graduate with honors from the School of Hard Knocks, degreed in “Refuse Wise Counsel”, nothing frustrates me more than people that just won’t recognize God’s authority, power and love, and learn from the lessons of those that have gone before them. Reading the news, living in a world gone terribly wrong, exhausting one’s self in an effort to leave the air you share better than you found it, brings a defeated end to the day, but the absolute assurance that grants peace, is knowing God wove every atom, every molecule of the universe together and He knows what He is doing. I don’t need to understand, I don’t need to huff and puff, I just need to love and spread the Good News of Jesus Christ……God will judge in due time and all will be right.

Have a Fabulous Friday,

Gretchen

Clearly no one is justified before God by the law, because “the righteous will live by faith.” Galatians 3:11

Evidence is presented to a judge, the keeper of knowledge and discernment. Based on facts, the judge decides and declares guilt or innocence. When the gavel slams, the decision is made. It is irrevocable. If the accused is declared not guilty, they are known to be justified.

After Paul first visited Galatia and established a church in this Roman province, Jewish-Christian teachers came to continue the work. They insisted that new converts must become sons of Abraham by way of circumcision and strict observance of Jewish law.

This perspective made obedience to the law as important as the crucified Messiah. There is no comparison. By faith and faith alone, we know Christ voluntarily gave His life for ours. He lived a human existence but remained Holy, died on the cross and rose from the grave on the third day, thus taking away sin’s grip on all who believe!

Do we submit ourselves to standards of righteousness? Absolutely! But it is through faith that we are saved and stand before our Judge to be found blameless, guilt free, totally justified.

Have a Wonderful Midweek,

Gretchen

This is the written account of Adam’s family line. When God created mankind, He made them in the likeness of God. Genesis 5:1

In the first book of the Bible the creation story is told twice. Chapter five begins with the words above. Once again it is stated, “In the likeness of God.”

God is Holy and we were made in His likeness, but from the moment sin entered our Holiness was compromised. However, God maintained a means of restoration. By man’s freewill we accept God’s authority and believe that His Son Jesus gave His life in place of ours as payment for sin. When we chose these things of God over the temptations of the world, we are returned to the Holiness of God.

Satan would have you believe this is an impossible ideal. It is not. We are God’s crowning joy, a perfect reflection. Look to Him and mirror His love, His action, His passion. In this way we bring Glory to His likeness.

Have a Wonderful Day,

Gretchen

After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the Throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. Revelations 7:9

Much of our moment to moment existence is universal. Across the globe people arise motivated to maintain life, for themselves and any dependents they may have. No matter the ethnicity or culture, there is a longing for personal prosperity and loved ones to be healthy and whole. We are very much the same in our quest to stay alive. But the reality is far from gumdrop avenues. and cotton candy clouds. Every success comes at a cost of ten failures. From the African savannah to Alpine cliffs, from sea to shining sea, crisis rules the day, struggle is universal.

EXCEPT to those that know the LORD and have found peace. We have the promise of Heaven and a home in the immediate presence of God. The enduring theme of Revelation is “Game Over!” We live in the present and all the trials and burdens it has, but God is not restricted by linear time. He is in the past, present and future. The battle has been won, victory is His and ours by association.

I can’t wait for that wonderful time when I stand before God and every nation, tribe, and people through ages, lift their voices in worship to the One that gave us Eternal Life! It isn’t just a celebration of freedom from personal trials, but victory over sin that hurts the world over.

Warming up my vocal chords!

Gretchen