Sonshine!

In another lifetime I imagine I might have been a Bohemian gypsy living in a tiny house pulled by a gallant steed, or a pioneer woman along the Oregon Trail.  No! I am not one to start an adventure, but I can’t say, “No,” when presented with the opportunity. My husband finds a way to chase the sunset most everyday. It was the first thing that attracted me to him and is a huge part of our story. The plot only thickens as we get older.

Several weeks ago, Keith sold a motorcycle to a gentleman some distance away. This buyer asked to have the bike delivered and Keith jumped at traveling to south east Texas, meeting someone new and putting his toes in the gulf for a few hours on a Saturday afternoon. My plan was to stay home and nest, but the weekend weather report was tempestuous. Cold air and warm were going to fight for top billing between Keith and his destination, but he wasn’t going to cancel. I decided I’d rather ride through the storms than stay home and worry. Our weather alerts began going off at Texarkana and continued through Nacogdoches, but blue skies were waiting and we pressed on.

Along we went, merging weather apps with google maps. As a distraction, we began reminiscing about people who had traveled in and out of our lives and changed us for the better. Keith made use of his music app that connected his taste to the perfect tune at the push of a button. Old gospel music drew our attention away from the gloomy day and began bringing back glimpses in time of good things and great people. However, our two minds could only think of one line to a song an evangelist sang at church camp during our teen years and early adult lives. Like a bad jingle, we couldn’t turn loose of the song, but internet searches failed to reveal the title. Several evenings later, Keith google searched our evangelist friend, found a phone number and called. An hour’s long conversation of old times, reconnections and warmed hearts followed. The name of the song is, In the Midst of It All, and tells the story of Job standing, completely broken, but righteous, willing to accept God’s will no matter the pain.  You need to know our friend evangelist, the Rev. Terry Jones, was stricken with ALS and we have only ever known him with a crippled body, but a heart sacrificed to anything God has prepared. His testimony of words and deeds were game changers for Keith and I as our lives were just beginning.

The race is not to the swift

or the battle to the strong,

nor does food come to the wise

or favor to the learned;

but time and chance happen to them all.

Ecclesiastes 9:11

There is a hero’s list of christian valor in my heart. These people showed up and lived to bring others the Gospel. There is the pastor who took a group of high school seniors aside and scripturally taught us the meaning of sanctification.  We wanted to know and because he went to summer camp, our answers came and life decisions were made. And then there was the camp counselor who came every year. She brought a profoundly handicapped student with her. I learned the difference between pity and compassion and I made a life long friend. Christian leaders, activity sponsors, Sunday School teachers, Camp workers; these people didn’t sign up to raise me, send Christmas gifts or follow me through life. They simply gave of themselves so that others could live. It was a matter of eternal life or death and they were a huge part of me finding my way to the foot of the cross.

God, in His perfect knowledge and time, orchestrated a beautiful score for our lives, but the song is found in the His body, the community of believers.

Love,

Gretchen

Therefore tell the people: This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘Return to Me,’ declares the LORD Almighty, ‘and I will return to you,’ says the LORD Almighty. Zechariah 1:3 (Zechariah 1-6)

In this verse, God refers to Himself as LORD, which is translates, ‘to be actively present’ and sovereign, and Almighty, alone holding all power, creative, constructive and redemptive, in the universe.

Two months after Haggai began his prophecy concerning the priorities of the Israelites, Zechariah sees eight visions concerning assurance for and to an obedient people. 

They are:

• Judah’s prosperity will be restored.
• Oppressors will be punished.
• God will dwell among His people once again.
• The sins of the people will be removed by the One that is called The Branch. (Messianic)
• The Temple will be completed. ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the                             LORD Almighty Zechariah 4:6
• Wickedness will always be punished.
• Wicked nations will be brought to their knees.
• There will be rest and peace in God’s presence.

Zechariah is quoted more than any other prophet by the Gospel writers in their narratives about Jesus’ last days. His words also had a strong influence on John’s Revelation. The visions Zechariah was given were symbolic, but the message was clear; Obedience is the spiritual foundation of our relationship with God. 

Have a great Friday,

Gretchen

This is what the LORD Almighty says: “Give careful thought to your ways.” Haggai 1:7 (Haggai 1-2)

Enemies of the One True God thought He would cease to exist when His people were removed from their Promised Land and their culture, God’s Holy Law, was so dispersed it would be impossible to continue.  They didn’t know our God!

Haggai was among the older people who had seen the original Temple in all its glorious splendor. As the first stones were relaid in the foundation, they knew the former glory would not be replicated and they were sad. As foes hindered, work came to a complete halt. During this time the Jewish people became distracted with making life happen, forgetting their original fervor for God’s Place of Worship in exchange for personal prosperity.

Enter Haggai with words from God. Crops are failing and people were barely able to exist. They neglected God with a mindset of, I’ll do my part when He does His. Haggai’s message was one of correct priorities and the people hear it with open hearts and ears, accept it as God’s word and heed his instructions. Within four days the rebuilding resumes.

No, the new Temple would not come close to the grandeur of the past, but Haggai receives a Messianic message that the heart of man, not deeds is the correct response to God’s Holiness, and there will come a day when God in the flesh will walk among men and within these walls. At this time, nothing on earth will compare to what God has planned and given.

Haggai’s gem of a message will always be relevant to God’s people because he speaks to the matter of priorities. They matter. Make sure yours are in correct order; God first.

Love,

Gretchen

On the fourteenth day of the first month, the exiles celebrated the Passover. Ezra 6:19 (Ezra 4-6)

The exiles have returned and begun to rebuild the Temple. However, there are some distractions and obstacles.  In their absence, people from enemies areas resettled the lands of Judah and Israel. These new inhabitants aren’t willing to give up their newly acquired real estate. (These people would later be known as Samaritans.) In addition to this homesteading crisis, the exiles needed time to rebuild homes and plow and harvest crops. Amid these issues, work on the temple was halted for 15 years.

The enemy neighbors wrote a letter of protest to the government of Persia expressing their offense. They asked for all work to stop, but after a deep search of the archives of Babylon, a scroll was found commissioning the Temple reconstruction. Darius, the new leader of Persia, decreed that no one should interfere with the Jewish people upon threat of death. Further more, the Persian treasury would pay for all materials, laborers and sacrifices.

Once work resumed the Temple was completed in four years and The Passover was celebrated. This second Exodus out of bondage gave the remembrance a special, new meaning. What seemed like the end of hope and good fortune actually became a double blessing. What was intended to hinder became a beautiful conduit of restoration.

God is always weaving a miracle with your name on it!

Love,

Gretchen

Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake; some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt. Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the Heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, the the stars for ever and ever. Daniel 12:2-3 (Daniel 10-12)

During the restoration God continues to give His people comfort, encouragement and assurance. It is no coincidence that in the same year the foundation of the Temple was laid, Daniel, who is distinguished as a humble seeker of wisdom, receives a vision. God pulls the veil back between Heaven and earth and allows Daniel to see a great war being waged between superhuman beings. Daniel’s visions have been full of symbolism, double meaning and oblique references to the future, but at this time, there is a very strong parallel between Daniel’s prediction and the subsequent future.

The superhuman intelligences in Daniel’s sight are battling for power over mankind, good verses bad. God showed Daniel what goes on far beyond man’s comprehension. There are spirits protecting us and spirits bent on our destruction, but God has full knowledge of His universe and the power to decide the outcome.

While Daniel was overwhelmed with what he saw, he understood the profound occurrence he was shown; the resurrection of all who walked earth. The wise will enter into eternal glory, others will find themselves in everlasting shame and contempt.  Without a doubt, there is a time when all is final. The only unknown is…….time. Live ready, it’s the wise thing to do.

Love,

Gretchen

With praise and thanksgiving they sang to the LORD, “He is good, His love to Israel endures forever.” And all the people gave a great shout of praise to the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid. Ezra 3:11 (Ezra 1-3)

The code of conquering for Assyria and Babylon was defeat, deport and scatter. When Cyrus, king of Persia enters Babylon, Daniel tells him of the writing on the wall and shares the fulfilled prophesies of Isaiah, who actually named Cyrus, and Jeremiah. This influenced him to adopted the policy of repatriation.

Chapter 2 is the accounting of leaders, clans, priests, Levites, workmen and Solomon’s servants who chose to leave the lives they built in Babylon and return to Judah. Approximately 50,000 Jews returned. A fraction of what they once were, this nation, cut back to its very roots, began growing a new vitality with an emphasis on purity. The returning tribe of Judah gathered a few extra people, from the other tribes, along their journey. As a result, the reference to All Israel is made in worship and prayer, and the New Testament still speaks of the twelve tribes.

Upon entering Jerusalem, the first order of business was to rebuild the altar according to Mosaic Law and celebrate The Feast of Tabernacles and other religious observances. As soon as this had been accomplished, the foundation for the Temple was laid. There were mixed feelings among the elder generation, for they remembered what Judah and its magnificent city had been. But because God is faithful and He always does what He says He will do, the Jews are free to once again become themselves. They are subject to Persia, but culturally/religiously they are being restored in God’s image, complete with a plan of salvation for the entire world, in other words, to bless all nations…….the original purpose of God’s covenant people.

Don’t ever under estimate the power of God’s renewal! His love endures forever! It is the most powerful force in the universe!

Love,

Gretchen 

You WILL find what you are looking for.

Jesus said to her, “Mary. ”She turned toward Him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher).John 20:16 

He spoke her name and everything was right again!

“We build temples and churches, but will not worship in them; we hire spiritual advisers, but refuse to heed them; we buy Bibles, but will not read them; believing in God, we do not fear Him; acknowledging Christ, we neither follow nor obey Him. Only when we can no longer strive in the battle for earthly honors or material wealth, do we turn to the unseen but for more enduring things of life; and with ears deafened by the din of selfish war and cruel violence, and eyes blinded by the glare of passing pomp and folly, we strive to hear and see the things we have so long refused to consider.

The Shepherd

Excerpt from The Shepherd of the Hills, by Harold Bell Wright. 1907 E.W. Reynolds.

Blessings on this most precious of Days!

Gretchen

Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before. Daniel 6:10 (Daniel 6)

God’s Holiness and a king’s ego crossed paths and a righteous man was caught in the middle. Even though Babylon changed regents and Daniel has foretold of its end, he still holds a very powerful and authoritative place in government. He is known for his integrity and this apparently offends some colleagues with a more personal agenda. These men flatter King Darius by suggesting there be a period of thirty days praise and worship to himself alone. Anyone breaking this decree will suffer death. Darius took the bait and Daniel’s fate seemed sealed.

Knowing the peril he face, Daniel did same thing he did every other day of his life. He turned to God in prayer.  In an upstairs window, facing the earthly representation of God’s everlasting presence, Jerusalem, Daniel revealed his true character. Jerusalem was in ruins, but God said it would stand again. This God will either save him or take him into His loving arms, but Daniel would not pray to the king and He absolutely would bow himself to God knowing he was trapped. Strength would be needed to face the uncertain future, so from his knees he gathered his courage.

King Darius reluctantly placed Daniel in the lion’s den. After a sleepless night he found a well rested servant, for an angel had once again visited this brave and steadfast man and spared his life. However, the connivery of Daniel’s enemies cost them and their families their lives.

Circumstance didn’t determine Daniel’s actions. Compromise was never a viable option. Trust in God’s ways, without understanding. Works every time! And on this Saturday, remember, amazing things happened on the ‘dark’ side of a stone………

Love,

Gretchen

Give ear, O God, and hear, open Your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears Your Name. We do not make request of You because we are righteous, but because of Your great mercy. Daniel 9:18 (Daniel 9)

As Babylon falls, Daniel reads Jeremiah’s prophecies and does the math. He realizes the time of captivity was nearing an end and restoration was nigh. Daniel is fully Hebrew/Jew as he prays a beautiful prayer of corporate and individual contrition.  He acknowledges their sins throughout the history of God’s covenant people and knows this alone brought judgement. Daniel asks for mercy, not because they deserve it after their suffering, but because God is Good.

Here again, scripture seems to confuse more than it answers, but while Daniel was praying, Gabriel came with news of Hope. Scholars argue the details, but the big picture is this:  Daniel was able to predict the rebuilding of Jerusalem, the coming of Jesus, the year and duration of His ministry and its end with His atoning death. A mysterious time (by man’s linear understanding) to the future, when evil will be bound forever, leaving Peace to rule the faithful, is still to come, but documented as part of this vision.

I once bought into the old adage, ‘The more you read/know, the less you understand’. Reading the ancient prophets can make one’s head spin, but as I have studied and prayed, I no longer accept this as true or even possible, because God doesn’t operate this way.  He brings order and rest to all He touches. Daniel saw a time of complete finality that was filled with great and everlasting Hope and Peace.  I don’t have to be a nuclear physicist to see the stars and I don’t have to do calculus to know that God has always had a miraculous plan to save me from my carnal self. He gave His only Son to die for me.  It’s as simple as 2+2=4. 

Friday’s Here, But Sunday’s Comin’!,

Gretchen

Then Daniel answered the king, “You may keep your gifts for yourself and give your rewards to someone else. Nevertheless, I will read the writing for the king and tell him what it means. Daniel 5:17 (Daniel 5)

Belshazzar’s father, Nabonidus, retired to Arabia, leaving his son as co-regent of Babylon. This king in residence throws a wild party, complete with rowdy friends, intoxicating drinks and wild women. While the festivities were in full swing, the Persian army diverts the Euphrates River so they could walk along the dry river bed, into the impenetrable city uncontested. Most other kings of Babylon offered some degree of reverence to Daniel’s God. Nabonidus himself prays that his son will do likewise, but the arrogant offspring calls for the gold and silver goblets from the Temple of Jerusalem and defiles them by singing praises to the ‘gods’ of gold and silver.

A stubborn heart and an arrogant countenance are a fatal combination.  In the midst of the revelry a human like hand appears and writes on a wall.  Belshazzar did not know what the writing said, but he quickly grew sober. He sent for enchanters, astrologers and diviners but none could discern the meaning. The queen, probably Nebuchadnezzar’s widow, mentioned Daniel. The king offered him third in line to the throne and all the glory that goes with such power. Daniel informed the king such earthly entrapments held no appeal, but let the puffed up ruler know that in the history of Babylon there had been some great leaders, however, he, Belshazzar, had been weighed, found wanting and his hours were numbered. Indeed, before the night was over, Belshazzar was slain and Babylon’s short, but great, history ended.

Man cannot compensate for sin by making elaborate deals with God. Belshazzar felt he was doing God a favor by elevating Daniel’s status. Time has judged this man harshly, but where could unchecked arrogance take each one of us?…….. A humble and contrite heart is the perfect sacrifice to offer the The Ruler of All Nations.

Love,

Gretchen