Sonshine!

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 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 you together in this moment in time and space.

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

Have a great day!

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 proclaiming of the Gospel will end with him in chains. He does not expect to ever see these friends again 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 agronomy skill, although I know those who are. But in the mean time 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 who’s side he was on.
It turned David’s face to the Throne of God.
It drowned out the voice of doubt.
It kept David 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

Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. Psalm 90:2

The eternal existence of God and the eternity of space…….difficult and intimidating concepts to fathom.  From the very beginning of the Biblical narrative God shows us He has alway been and always will be and space continues on forever without beginning and end.

We are a people of definitive experiences. We like the cause column to always equal the effect. For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction, what goes up must come down. Faith would be much easier if we could define God quantitatively or linearly. So what do you do when your minds won’t rest in what your heart knows?

Do what the psalmists did. State it. Praise Him for it. Ask for peace when “From everlasting to everlasting” overwhelms you. He is quick and immediate to answer. Forever and ever is yours too.

Have a Beautiful Friday,

Gretchen

You will see it with your own eyes and say, “Great is the LORD-Even beyond the borders of Israel!” Malachi 1:5

The Jewish people were in the midst of economic hardship, constant physical threat and opposition. They felt God had forgotten them although He promised restoration.

Malachi’s message? GOD ALWAYS KEEPS HIS PROMISES FAR BEYOND OUR COMPREHENSION, NO EXCEPTIONS!

Our faith and our hope rests in God alone. His love is constant and continuing and is not dependent on our actions but His will. His will is His faithfulness to us. Our only appropriate response is absolute faith in Him.

Love,

Gretchen

I can do all things through Him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13

Very popular words from Philippians. Here’s the prequel……”I am not saying this because I am in need,  for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.” Verses 11 and 12.

So what can Paul, the author, do? Yes, all things…… the most essential things ……..contentment in all circumstances…….faithfulness in need and discomfort, grace in plenty,…….

What can we do through Him who gives strength? Persevere and become what Christ died for us to be: redeemed, missional, compassionate……..

Pulled out context this phrase seems to be an endorsement for pressing confidently toward human ambition. It is not. It is Paul’s humble affirmation that Jesus, as friend, redeemer and hope, is a reliable constant and that is enough. I’m with Paul, He is enough.

Love,

Gretchen

Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of Him who is the head, that is, Christ. Ephesians 4:15

Maturity is a choice. Growing older is not. You don’t necessarily get one with the other.

Chronological aging is just going along for the ride. We had no say in when and where we entered the world and we really have no say in when and where we leave, but in the mean time the choice is all ours. That brings us to the mental and emotional level we chose to dwell in.

Maturity is facing the truth and owning what is ours…….mistakes and failures, successes and blessings; to recognize other’s contributions to the above mentioned, show gratitude where it is due and grace and mercy in exchange for bitterness and defeat.

Believers become the body of Christ and He wants to perfect us so that we may grow and do His work on earth. The path for this progress is truth. In accepting Jesus as the only truth we submit our tainted perspectives, petty folly and selfish ambitions, to His perfect knowledge, patient love and final victory. Suddenly we are grown-up Christians and it’s a very nice thing to be.

Gretchen

My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message. John 17:20

Jesus is within hours of being crucified and He knows it. He also knows that His beloved disciples, the men He spent 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with for the last three years have no clue about what is coming down. Yes, Jesus has prepared them, but they cannot comprehend what will prove to be the most mysterious, glorious and victorious event of all time.

So what does Jesus do? He prays. He sets things in perspective in a quiet talk with His dad. The entire seventeenth chapter of John is Jesus praying, first for Himself to focus on the big picture, eternal life. Then He prays for His disciples. Jesus is literally committing His friends into the care of His Father. How beautiful is that?! And Then……..drum roll please…….He prayed for you and I. Yes, Jesus has spoken, out loud, a prayer personally for you and for me.

What did Jesus ask the Father to give us? A oneness with Him and each other so that we may know the full extend of the Father’s love.

Oh How He Loves Us!

Gretchen