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Dear Children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.  I John 3:18

John was called by Jesus to leave his fishing boats and follow. He and his brother James were known to have fiery temperaments and were coined, “Sons of Thunder.” Then John became one of Jesus’ closest friends. He was with Jesus in the most poignant moments of His ministry, and at the crucifixion when he was given care of Mary, Jesus’ mother. These events John witnessed had an impact on his deepening character. The reality of Christ’s purpose shaped John’s heart and He became a great champion of love.

I strongly encourage you to read the entire passage, I John 3:11-24. If what you are feeling does not move you into action, then what you are feeling is not love. Words do not cost much. In fact, words of love are tossed around lightly and manipulatively, but actions are different. Actions come at a price and payment is something we ration sparingly.

Actions define our character, our faith, our heart. It is not our words that express our love for God, but our behavior toward our fellow man. For in unconditional love toward others we give God complete and total control of the outcome and take ourselves out the equation. Giving all with absolutely no expectation of ever getting anything back but eternal life is serious action. That is loving as Christ does, because that is what He did.

Love,

Gretchen

It was majestic in beauty, with its spreading boughs, for its roots went down to abundant waters. Ezekiel 31:7

Egypt’s Pharaohs considered themselves to be immortal and infallible as did their subjects. Egypt was successful, strong, like the tallest and strongest tree in the forest, sustaining itself from an endless supply of resources only it could access. The prophecy? All things of earth come and pass away, except the things of God.

Look at the verb ‘was’. The second word in this scripture. It speaks volumes. Was…….all gone. The glory of the past is not today, it was……….

This earth will someday become a WAS. I will someday be an earthly WAS! The only sustaining, everlasting resource is Jesus’ love and free gift of eternal life that everyone can access. When time ceases there will never again be a WAS, and until then, do not live for the things of this world, but the things for which time has no hold, ETERNITY.

Love you,

Gretchen

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:18

When I was young I heard, “If only I had the wisdom I have now, combined with the energy I had then.” I vowed never to say those words, but here I am….plodding along, growing older, wiser and wishing.

Youth means dreaming, planning, executing, and accomplishing, until you realize the vehicle you own mean Saturdays with a water hose maintaining that car lot shine, walking miles to the store entrance to avoid a door ding and working overtime to pay the bank note. Wisdom means accepting that it will never reach ‘classic’ status if you haul your kids and their friends to the beach and the fuel turns to a useless vapor at a faster rate than you care to ponder. The only true value of these possessions is the intangible things they provide……memories and connections of love.

Paul’s words to this church in Corinth speaks to the same mentality. Invest in something lasting, Heaven, not just for yourself, but for others too.

Love,

Gretchen

May the LORD, the God of your ancestor, increase you a thousand times and bless you as He has promised. Deuteronomy 1:11

Deuteronomy is one of the most quoted Old Testament Books by New Testament writers and was a theological source or guiding principle for Israel’s faithful and obedient living in the covenant land.

Moses brought Israel from Egypt to the plains of Moab, God’s covenant with Abraham was about to be fulfilled. The stage was being set for Israel to become a blessing to “all peoples on earth!” But Moses’ journey was at an end. He would not be entering this blessed land. As a consequence of disobedience, Moses knew he would die and be buried in sight of Canaan, but not part of it. This verse is from a sermon Moses spoke to remind God’s beloved people who they are, where they came from, how far they have come, where they are going and why they were created.

We do not need to live in the shadows of our past, but it is an incredibly healthy thing for the believer to look back, see God’s faithfulness to His children and KNOW that He is never changing, all powerful, sovereign and ALL LOVING, therefore, what He as done, He will continue to do.

Have a Fabulous Friday,

Gretchen

Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. I Timothy 6:12

Timothy stayed in Ephesus to choose and train church leaders. The Epistle, I Timothy, is the first letter Paul wrote to this missionary, giving explicit instruction for church leadership, corporate and individual holy living, and personal encouragement for Timothy himself. The words above are in the closing comments of this letter. They are very impassioned! “Tim! Don’t give up! I know it’s hard but remember for Whom you are working and never forget you are first and foremost a sinner saved by grace!”

The Christian population cannot cloister themselves from a sin infested world. If we did, the mission of the Body of Christ would halt, or would have halted shortly after it began. Yet, neither can we embrace the values of this world. Holiness is simple, but this balance between earthly survival (prosperity, influence, getting along with people we don’t agree with, humility versus boldness) and Heavenly aim is tough. The answer? What Paul writes to Timothy applies to you too. Don’t give up! You are a sinner saved by grace. Walk only the path that leads to the Throne of God and with great love, invite many more to join you.

Love,

Gretchen

But now, this is what the LORD says-He who created you, Jacob, He who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. Isaiah 43:1

Our names are the most intimate part of our identity. I am Gretchen, once Jones, now Rooney. I am wife, mother, daughter, teacher, pastor, friend, confidant…..These names define me, associate me with something bigger than myself, and give me the security of community. It’s how I am called by those who know and need me.

God, my creator, the Master designer of my body and soul, summons me, gives me identity, purpose and kinship. But by what name does He call? Is it peace maker, comforter, champion of the outcast, proclaimer of Good News? For summons is not just a call to approach, but a prelude to ‘GO!’ Our name before the Throne of Grace is incredibly precious. It is our call and purpose and when God speaks it, we recognize the voice of our Father.

What God does for Jacob, the one who had a physical encounter with Him and was renamed Israel, He will do for you. We are the redeemed, our ransom is paid and we are His. Read the rest of this chapter. If there was ever a scripture that said, “I’ve got this, now go! Be bold!” It is Isaiah chapter 43. We are summoned, and sent and all the power of Heaven and earth is our fortress because the one name that matters most is, Child of God, Saved by Grace.

Love,

Gretchen

But now, this is what the LORD says-He who created you, Jacob, He who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. Isaiah 43:1

Our names are the most intimate part of our identity. I am Gretchen, once Jones, now Rooney. I am wife, mother, daughter, teacher, pastor, friend, confidant…..These names define me, associate me with something bigger than myself, and give me the security of community. It’s how I am called by those who know and need me.

God, my creator, the Master designer of my body and soul, summons me, gives me identity, purpose and kinship. But by what name does He call? Is it peace maker, comforter, champion of the outcast, proclaimer of Good News? For summons is not just a call to approach, but a prelude to ‘GO!’ Our name before the Throne of Grace is incredibly precious. It is our call and purpose and when God speaks it, we recognize the voice of our Father.

What God does for Jacob, the one who had a physical encounter with Him and was renamed Israel, He will do for you. We are the redeemed, our ransom is paid and we are His. Read the rest of this chapter. If there was ever a scripture that said, “I’ve got this, now go! Be bold!” It is Isaiah chapter 43. We are summoned, and sent and all the power of Heaven and earth is our fortress because the one name that matters most is, Child of God, Saved by Grace.

Love,

Gretchen

Better one handful with tranquility than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind. Ecclesiastes 4:6

Ecclesiastes is not a book of deep theology. It is a collection of reflections put to pen by Solomon, or one of his admirers, as he looked out upon a sin weary world. Maybe it was cathartic to write things down, close the book and lay his head upon his pillow. We could theorize all day, but it is part of God’s Holy word and it has something to say to us.

This passage of scripture reflects on the fact that man’s greatest motivation is ‘Keeping up with the Jones’.’ We don’t seek what we need, or what would best benefit our community and family, we seek what will give us status above others. Society’s sifter is economic accumulation, as revealed in our possessions, and yet, it does not bring us joy and security, it just instigates more work and worry.

I was present at the 2001 Daytona 500 Race when Dale Earnhardt crashed with Ken Schrader and died instantly. The emotions shared with other fans in that moment are indescribable, but in the following days I saw a recording of him in his own words, “Yes I have achieved all I aimed to achieve, but it cost me everything.” And indeed it did.

Tranquility on earth is scarce. Let’s join together and create some to share with others.

Have a Wonder Full Week,

Gretchen

P.S. I also heard Dale Earnhardt’s testimony of faith that came later in life. I am not judging him as I am a fan and great admirer. I appreciated his candor when he confessed the price his success had cost his family and specifically his children. It moved me to be less ambitious and more servant minded.

It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest seed you plant in the ground. Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds of the air can perch in its shade. Mark 4:31-32

Years ago I studied these verses while writing a series of lessons for children. I was so disappointed when I discovered that the mustard seed isn’t the smallest seed on earth. A quick google search will inform you, as it did me, the smallest seed comes from a jungle orchid. However, Jesus was not writing an article for scientific scrutiny but rather speaking in parable, a story told to teach a spiritual lesson. Jesus’ audience knew nothing of jungles, or orchids. They knew a great deal of mustard plants, olive groves, grape vineyards and in that context the mustard seed is quite amazing.

The Kingdom of God, not Heaven and eternity to come, but the one in our present midst, is grown from the most basic source, love. The initial size does not determine outcome, the planting does. So just love.

Have a great weekend,

Gretchen

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our LORD. Romans 8:38-39

Some of the most empowering scripture ever put to paper for eons of soul ahead. How loving is God?

A battle for a new world order has been waged since Satan felt he was worthy of godlike status and was expelled from God’s presence, aka Heaven. There is One True God, the Creator/Designer of that order whose keystone is love. Satan’s chaos is irrelevant and cannot thwart God.

Love for mankind is God’s choice, His supreme design. There is nothing, NOTHING, that can separate us from that love. Sadly though, our unchecked free choice and its accompanying sin separates us from God. Satan would have us believe that God is spitefully doing the separating, but He is not (refer to scripture above).

Turn your face to the Son! His open arms are waiting for you…… to hold you tight…..forever.

Love,

Gretchen