Sonshine!

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23

The Gospel Message was met with great enthusiasm by mostly Gentiles in the region of Galatia. Soon after Paul’s departure Jewish teachers came along insisting that Gentiles could not be Christian without first become Jewish Proselytes and keeping Jewish laws and traditions. The Galatian Christians willingly accepted this but when Paul heard of the movement he wrote His letter to them explaining that the Jewish National Life had nothing to do with Salvation. In other words, Christianity cannot be trademarked! It is not an offshoot of Judaism, it is eternal life made possible through faith in Christ’s final sacrifice. 

On the night before Jesus died He spoke of the True Vine and the fruit it would produce. The above list is that fruit and what does fruit do? It feeds and the seeds fall and perpetuate continued growth and feeding. But, my favorite part of this verse is not the lovely attributes I remind myself of every time I have to take a deep breath and count to ten, it is the “Against such things there is no law.” 

Joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control, are a package deal and the gifts just keep on giving. If we could give this world anything, Jesus it would be, but Jesus said, give this! 

Making Fruit Salad,

Gretchen

And now these three remain, faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. I Corinthians 13:13 

Taken from The Love Chapter, a well known passage of scripture, this verse is the sum of all that really matters, the only thing that lasts when the dust settles and time has done as much damage as it can.

It is always difficult when ideologies or attributes are ordered  for importance, because all three of these, faith, hope and love, are vital, and not given greater or lesser worthiness. Here’s why Paul states this, not as instruction, but as fact. There will be a day when our faith shall become sight and our hope is reality in a world of nothing but love for God and for one another.

The Corinthian community was wealthy, diverse and cosmopolitan, a hub of trade, but also immoral. These early believers struggled with issues of every sort you can imagine, trying to find their way forward with many voices vying to be the loudest. Paul silences this. Faith that gives hope must persevere and rest in the Love, the origin of Grace and Mercy through Jesus, Lord and Savior.

Love,

Gretchen

If you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. Proverbs 2:3-5

Nothing is more frustrating than knowing someone could help you but they choose not to. Please keep in mind, this is the character of man, not God.

God NEVER withholds Himself from us. When we ask for the things that bring glory to Him, He gives in great and overflowing abundance. We must pursue God’s character as fervently as some men pursue silver. Seek the face of God and strive to mirror It (His Face) in our entire being.

Through the Looking Glass,

Gretchen

10/25/25 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. I Thessalonians 5:11

The church at Thessalonica was established on Paul’s second missionary trip, but as a result of Paul’s controversial message, it was dangerous for him to remain and so he retreated to Athens, but he didn’t go quietly. He built churches and received converts all along the way. Still, his heart was with a new congregation that didn’t have the advantage of spiritual growth and development before facing the turbulence of opposition, temptation and persecution.

Paul was emphatic that all must wait patiently, but urgently, for the Lord’s coming. I wish I could say, ‘You’ve got this!” But the honest truth is, IT IS HARD!!!!! No one wants to awaken to a fight for survival, but without confidence in God’s power to sustain and maintain we will become discouraged, exhausted and vulnerable to false theologies and practices.

The church, the Body of Christ, must be a heroic source of ceaseless encouragement. This is a mark of faithfulness to one’s own victories and love for other believers as they are sent to light the dark world.

Go! Team! Go!!!!

Gretchen

 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted in the earth. Psalm 46:10

This is a song, written for the musical portion of Temple worship. It is a great psalm of confidence and needs little commentary. However, I can’t resist. 

There is nothing more comforting than God’s presence and this passage expresses this with simple Bible Logic. There is nothing God cannot do. Though the whole earth crumbles, God is with His people, there is no need for fear. God’s Mercy, Grace and provision are abundant and constant. 

To be still is not a command to stop activity, but to be at peace when the world is not. God is Great and Glorious. The universe tells of this and it should be our solace in every circumstance.

Love,

Gretchen

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and future.” Jeremiah 29:11

Jeremiah lived and was called to be prophet in a very volatile time in Jerusalem, Judah and its neighboring kingdoms and his writings bear witness to the most devastating events in Old Testament history. The Babylonian invasion of Judah, the capture of Jerusalem, the destruction of Solomon’s Temple and the exile of many Judeans into Babylon are a few examples of their circumstances. 

Jeremiah preaches nonresistance to the expanding Babylonian empire which contradicts earlier Israelite prophets. He shows that Israel is not invincible. Rather than a Zionist ideology, Jeremiah turns to the Exodus from Egypt and slavery to freedom and God’s covenant with Moses at Mr. Sinai and he calls the people back to obedience to the covenant. 

This prophetic ministry speaks to us today, but it must remain in context. Yes, God is faithful to His covenant, but we must engage in a faithfulness that manifests in trusting obedience to God’s will and way. Why? Because only God knows His plans and they are good. It isn’t about geopolitical power or boundaries, it’s about hope in God and confidence it is always for good.

Love,

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.

I am a school teacher. I say a million times a day, “Make a good choice.” This is not a new concept. 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

But God will never forget the needy; the hope of the afflicted will never perish. Psalm 9:18

The caption reads, For the director of music. To the tune of “The Death of the Son.”  This psalm of David is one of praise to God who sits as King Forever. The needy and afflicted refers to all humanity, or in other words, me and you. God is our sole refuge and protector. 

Many years after the death of Goliath David remembers the victory from the vantage point of time and greater wisdom. God has dealt with enemies, and an honorable praise and worship is to tell of all His marvelous works and to rejoice and be glad. 

The God of David is not dispassionate regarding right and wrong. Sometimes you may think God is on your side when He is not. Keep in mind, God can be on both or neither side of a dispute. The important issue at hand is, who’s side are you on? David saw God in action against injustice. The unjust will suffer an eternal destruction, but the Lord will endure forever. Yes, it matters who’s side you are on because God will never forget the needy and afflicted. 

Love,

Gretchen

 Be strong and let us fight bravely for our people and the cites of our God. The LORD will do what is good in His sight. 2 Samuel 10:12

Have you ever had your motives questioned? Had your kindness thrown back in your face?

This verse is lifted from an episode in the history of David as he is establishing the nation of Israel. A neighboring king, the king of the Ammonites died and David sent a delegation to express sympathy and show kindness. His envoy was not received in the manner in which it was sent and these men were treated to great humiliation. Hanun, the new king erred on the side of cynicism and momentary power, realized he just picked an unnecessary fight and prepared to defend. David responded in kingly fashion and gathered his army.

As the armies amassed on the battlefield. David’s military commander Joab realized they were terribly outnumbered and gave this pep-talk: Be strong, fight bravely for the cities of our God, the LORD will do what is good.”

Joab spoke in this reverence because all the land was God’s not man’s. He also acknowledged that God is good, His will is good.

Standing on the cusp of battle surrounded and outnumbered by the enemy it is hard to comprehend that what we are fighting so furiously for is not even ours. It’s God’s and He’s got it. God is good so let Him worry about the small stuff and of course the big stuff too. Just do good.

Gretchen

Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. I Peter 3:11

As Jesus’ close friend, Peter would most certainly understand the passions of His heart and the purpose of His actions. They were pure and transparent, “Do good; seek peace,” with deliberate pursuit.

Any agenda other than peace is unacceptable. Doing good brings about peace. Others may not come into a state of peace, but you will and you are what you answer for.

When I come to my day of judgement, God will not ask me, “How did everyone treat you down there?” However, He will ask, “How did you treat others?” Doing good and seeking peace is the only acceptable answer to this question.

God loves peace and so must I.

Gretchen