Sonshine!

What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for His soul? Matthew 16:26

Jesus begins to prepare His disciples for the end.  Peter professes the deity of Jesus. He is the Son of God, the Messiah. Jesus shares that He must return to Jerusalem to face persecution and death, then Peter rebukes Him and Jesus acknowledges Satan’s attempt to stop His sacrifice. Finally, Jesus tells these closest friends, comrades, the cost of following Him will be their lives, from their everyday comings and goings to possible martyrdom.

There is a constance push and pull between surviving life and keeping earthly gains in proper place. I am honor bound to pay my electric bill, so I must go to work.  My natural competitive instinct drives me to achieve, thus gaining the faith and trust of my employer who in turn, depends more heavily on my ethic. I have done right, and now I am pulled from the very hearth I work to keep warm.  Where does maintaining life on earth become gaining the world? Adoration and power are great temptations, but they are of this world.

It is a matter of heart. What on earth do you love more than you love your neighbor?

Love,

Gretchen

Through Him and for His name’s sake, we received grace and apostleship to call people from among all Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith. Romans 1:5

Paul was called to bring the message of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles.  He wrote the letter we know as Romans three years before he would actually go to Rome. From Corinth, Paul was traveling to Jerusalem with benevolent funds for persecuted Jewish Christians. His personal safety was uncertain and he wanted the true, untainted Gospel to reach the faithful of Rome. 

Christians were being viciously persecuted by unbelievers, but compounding this injustice was the insistence of converted Jews that non Jewish believers adopt the orthodox traditions of circumcision and dietary restrictions. Paul preaches salvation by faith and Holiness by obedience only. 

Opinions are the reflex of our knowledge and environment.  It is impossible to exist without the perspective at the end of our own noses.  The early church dealt constantly with these issues too. Paul was relentless in his mission to bring unity to all believers through a faith that accepts mercy and grace and in love, returns it to one another other.

Have a Lovely MLK Holiday,

Gretchen

The Folly of Equal and Fair

Years ago I taught a student with diabetes.  He had a daily regimen of blood sugar checks and insulin shots. Though difficult, this child never complained and met each day with smiles and optimism. As I like to say, “He carried extra sunshine in his pocket so he could share.” His classmates often expressed concern that pain and discomfort awaited when friend X stepped outside with the nurse, but they understood without this health support, X would become extremely sick and possibly die.  No, teachers don’t broadcast this info, children’s inquisitiveness causes them to seek answers to unknowns. Its actually very hard to hide reality from a child.

A ruckus erupted one afternoon when a small toy was excavated from the playground sandbox. The little guy that unearthed the treasure wanted to keep it, another child insisted it was their lost belonging.  I do not possess the wisdom of Solomon or the discernment it took to judge accurately….. and it was Friday afternoon…..and I just wanted to get on with Science….. and we have rules about bringing toys/distractions from home….. and so……I said, “I will just put it away until I figure out what to do.”  Both children burst out, “That’s NOT FAIR!!!”  And thats when I burst out, “Well it’s not fair that ‘X’ has to get a shot all the time. Let’s line up. We’ll all go get a shot and be fair!”

This was a huge teacher fail, magnified the next week when the school nurse came to the door and asked me to take my class to her office so she could do required vision and hearing screenings.  The flames of panic swept across the classroom as my students concluded that in all fairness, everyone would begin their daily shots.  At that moment, we learned that fairness is as far fetched as the Easter Bunny.

The most prevalent given in humanity is inequality.  I am the second child, but the oldest daughter. Some days I was out ranked by an older brother, other days I did the out ranking because I was the oldest sister. (The possibility of bullying is strongly probable, but that is a blog for another day.)  Even within my loving family, inequality existed and fairness was difficult to achieve. The objective was not to treat everyone the same, but to provided all we needed to the highest degree of generosity possible.

The ultimate injustice was a sinless man, Jesus, accused, found guilty and executed for the transgressions you and I commit. Why did He submit Himself to this? Because our only equality is our sinfulness and need of grace. The question of fair was never discussed between Jesus and His father. I’m sure of it!

God’s Word, His model and His relationship to man show He alone is able to exact perfect justice (fairness and equality). John 13:16 states, “Very truly I tell you no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.”  Verse 13 says, “LOVE ONE ANOTHER!!!!”

The body of Christ is the living, active being on earth, that is called to reflect the perfection of God. Jesus taught us to pray,   “On earth as it is in Heaven.” If we are going to say it, ask it, wish for it, then we must do it. Mankind is not equal, we are diverse.  Equality is a gift we give one another because we are all sinners saved by Grace.  Practice equality, LOVE ONE ANOTHER and fairness will become irrelevant.

Love,

Gretchen

Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise His Holy name. Psalm 103:1

An inmost being?….The darkest, hidden places of my heart and mind no one knows about?….The empty place left when my soul mate left?….The secret fears of failing? ….Listing details of a soul can go on forever. Do all those place’s really need to take part in worship?

This Psalm by David is a reflection of God’s enduring, infinite love across a life less than perfect, but entrusted to God’s love and care.

David could out sin us all……still, grace and mercy were unlimited and sufficient. What God did for him He will do for all. Let praise come from every place in your heart, mind and soul and may it express the miracle of who you are, all because God loves you.

Have a Wonderful Week’s end,

Gretchen

“You are the light of the world, a city on a hill cannot be hidden.” Matthew 5:14

Sitting on a hillside, the Son of God begins to teach the things His followers must know if they are to remain His disciples. Be transformed and be like the One you know. Jesus’ words are found in Matthew chapters 5-7.

Jesus is the Light of the World.  Outer darkness is the space where God does not dwell. Light is life giving and sustaining.  A glow gives determination and hope to the sojourner. Illumination provides clarity and truth.  It is irritable because it dispels obscurity.

God’s Glory radiates His character, predominantly enduring love and overcoming power. We must become like Him, both radiating and reflecting the things of Heaven so a world of shadows has a hope of resplendent enlightenment.

Simple said, “Be someone’s flashlight in the storm.”

Love,

Gretchen

At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus. John 20:14

Mary Magdalene is the only woman that all three gospels place at the crucifixion. While Jesus’ friends, even those who witnessed His love and power, were fleeing in fear, Mary stood faithful. 

Miraculously healed, Mary personally experience Jesus’ life transforming ministry.  She became part of a group of followers that traveled beside Jesus and His disciples taking care of their personal needs and giving of their financial resources. After accompanying Joseph of Arimathea to the tomb to bury Jesus, grief stricken Mary returned home to prepared perfumes, oils and spices to give Her friend and healer the honor in death He was worthy of, and so, she arose on the first day of the week and arrived at His tomb before anyone else did, finding it empty.

The theology of the resurrection was lost on those who walked with the LORD.  They were willing listeners and learners, but they had no reference point of understanding, UNTIL that day.  John saw the burial cloths and instantly understood. Mary, devastated by the removal of Christ’s body, lingered near by sobbing. She looked into the tomb again and saw two angels (verse 13). While speaking with these celestial beings she turns and sees Jesus but does not recognize Him. He spoke. Still she wept AND THEN HE CALLED HER NAME!

Mary’s encounter changed our world….I mean your world and mine!  Jesus chose her, she who did not know how she would survive the day without Him, to go and share the news of the risen Friend, Savior, Messiah, Healer, LORD!

Jesus called her by name and things changed.  We often call out to Jesus, but today, invite Him to call you by name. It will change somebody’s world!

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 13:14

200 years before the time of Hosea, the Ten Tribes of Israel seceded and established a second kingdom separate from Judah, then chose the Golden Calf as their god.  The One True God sent Elijah, Elisha, Jonah, Amos, and finally Hosea to tell the people to put away their false god. The people, led by wicked kings refused and by the end, Israel added the worship of Baal to their Golden Calf. Israel was wiped off the face of the earth by the Assyrians. Notice Baal and the Golden Calf were worthless help before, during and after this calamity.

Wisdom is not aptitude. It is a choice! Discernment is wisdom in action. Israel reaped what it sowed. The great news is, their actions, while bringing judgement, did not cause God’s love to waver.

God’s love knows no end. You cannot make it go away!  Read all of Hosea 14. Walk righteously or stumble continuously. God will reach down, but you’ve got to take the love extended, the trust and obey.   

Love,

Gretchen

And the ransomed of the LORD will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will over take them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away. Isaiah 35:10

God’s creative power is also His saving power. Chapter 35 is a poem telling of the end of time as we know it and the beginning of total and complete freedom from sin and grief. This passage speaks of old things becoming new, dead things coming to life.  Such is our state when we are saved by grace.

Ransom, the noun, is the price demanded for return of a possession.  Ransom, the verb, is the act of rescuing and redeeming. God does both.  The price to pay for everlasting life is a sacrifice that can face down death and LIVE to tell about it.  Jesus did.  Nothing in Satan’s arsenal had the strength to pull God and His Son from their objective, to save mankind from eternal darkness and death.

Man has no reference point to an existence without sorrow, temptation or fear. Isaiah saw it! God sent word to a people in bondage. There will come a day when suffering will end.  God is at work, THE BEST IS YET TO COME!

Happy Tuesday,

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 a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

Israel and Judah have fallen and Jerusalem is in ruins.  The Jewish/Judean people are taken into captivity by Babylon. All because idolatry and pagan gods were too attractive. They worshiped the One True God with rituals that meant nothing in substance and gave their hearts to worldly pleasures that robbed them of their freedom.  God put a limit on their punishment, 70 years. In the mean time, there was hope, lots of it, and they had work to do.

This verse is from a letter Jeremiah sent to the elders, exiles, priests and prophets that were taken from Jerusalem. The opening words show that God, not Babylon is in charge (v. 4). Babylon does not escape without its punishment in the years to come. These people, torn from the comforts of their home are told to rest in hope, build a new life and seek peace and prosperity. Most of all, guard against false prophets hoping to gain from man’s general discontent. Trust the LORD, He is good.

I know this passage is a very popular phrase of encouragement and hope, captioning beautiful pictures on greeting cards, but it must remain in context and content. To seek and find God’s Holiness is peace. Prosperity is NOT earthly comfort, but an exhilaration of the soul that knows it will always have enough because God will provide.

God won’t share space in your heart. Your only hope is His plan, full of goodness and peace.

Love,

Gretchen

This May Hurt a Little

I once heard a young woman speak about her concerns for the future. Her theme was apathy,  the state of being totally disconnected emotionally from the normal things of life. It is not a shade of sympathy, or a hue of empathy, it is the choice to be completely numb, to not care.  She suggested this state was destroying the quality of life on planet earth.  I know this is extreme, but the concept has been stuck in my head like a bad jingle.  My thought is not that people are disconnected from feelings, but that they armchair quarterback the lives of those around them, giving voice to opinions and never lending a helping hand. Trust me, I’ve spent my time in the recliner. My father once sternly reminded me that God had not abdicated His Throne to leave the universe in my capable hands. Point noted dad, and so you have today’s post.

Many years ago my husband and I answered God’s call to ministry. There was a moment of great and overwhelming panic. Quickly God whispered, “I’m not asking you to save the world, that’s My job. Just follow me one step at a time and see what I can do.

Lessons had to be learned beyond Biblical studies, church history and theology. Crying Behind the Office Door, Chapter one was this: The world asks way more of you than God does. Chapter Two: God’s voice doesn’t sound like the loudest mommy in the room. When I was first pulled aside and given a list of things I needed to be doing and specific people I needed to evangelize I heard a voice screaming, “There aren’t enough hours in the day and caffeine in a diet coke for you to succeed. So give it up.”  It wasn’t God talking, He is much more kind and forgiving.

Now, if you’re still with me:

Take a moment to imagine what your world, your town, your neighborhood, would look like in five years (or less) if every child therein had a regular encounter with God’s love.  What if every church in your town partnered to create a pattern of uninterrupted programs where every unchurched youth was invited to remain in a Bible program, morning and evening, all summer break!  What if people discovered church is the most wonderful place on earth. Respite, peace, joy…..these are things longed for and the Church, the Body of Christ, has them in bounteous supply.

Am I dreaming too big? Should I just become apathetic, give it up, put it away forever? If so, please don’t say, “Nothing is impossible with God” while relaxing in your spiritual Lazy Boy.

No one is asked to do everything, but everyone is asked to do something. Lip service just stirs the air, manpower changes things. One paid staff person cannot teach five Sunday School classes! You can remain on the sofa of life, but on that ‘Great Gettin’ Up Morning,’ God will hear none of your arguments, points of debate or opinions on what others should have done. There will be NO EXCUSES! You will account for what YOU did or didn’t do!

I once commented that the fruit drink I was offered tasted too sour.  My friend handed me the pitcher and spoon and said, “We don’t take criticism or advise, only volunteers.” Great policy! There’s a Mission Field in Your Back Yard, and it’s white with harvest. Do something!

Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Matthew 28:19

Hoping We’re Still Friends,

Gretchen