Sonshine!

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:4

When I was young I refused to acknowledge Psalm 23. My father is a pastor and so I observed many grieving families and attended funerals as was appropriate for a child. Psalm 23 was the ever present scripture for memorial folders. I associated it with death rather than life. I have outgrown that misconception.

In the valley there is the SHADOW of death. Not death, just a harmless shadow! The faithful believer does not die. They pass immediately (actually even quicker than immediately) into the presence of Heaven and they are not disappointed to be there. For those who remain, death horrible, lonely, it changes life profoundly. Satan attacks us in these vulnerable moments, moments that only faith can see us through. There is no tangible evidence of Heaven, only what is known deeply in our hearts through the Holy Spirit.

The Good Shepherd’s rod and staff represent His authority, something the unbeliever or convicted soul resents. These are not tools of cruelty and abuse, instead they protect and guide. God never…..never takes His eyes off you , until you are safely home.

The 23rd Psalm is about life: Life on this side of Heaven and life eternal.

Love,

Gretchen

The LORD is my shepherd. I shall not want. Psalm 23:1

A good shepherd leads His flock to the very best grazing. These fields of plenty do not reflect the quality or pedigree of the sheep, but speak volumes about the pastoralist’s character. The simple truth the Psalmist learned and put into verse is: God is our good and loving Shepherd. He will provide every need of our existence.

We are His sheep. The path to lush carpets of green may be up hill, rocky and narrow, but the Shepherd knows the way. We must follow. Any other path leads to despair, desperation and death, so keep your head up and stay close.

Munchin’ on the Good stuff,

Gretchen

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

The hardest thing for me to achieve is ‘still!’ The world is full of distractions and most them are really delightful and even productive and benevolent. Busy is not all bad and being ‘still’ doesn’t come natural. Humans are on the move from the time they crawl. But ‘still’ is necessary. God wants our total, uninterrupted and completely focused attention and we need to rest and restore.

While in college far away from home I was sitting in a church service and the pastor told the congregation, “Close your eyes and imagine that you are sitting in your Heavenly Father’s lap.” He went on to guide us into sensing the warmth of our Father’s arms, the gentleness of His breath in our hair while hearing the steady beat of His heart as He rocked us to the rhythm of a most perfect lullaby. In this manner I found and rest, and peace.

We have assurance that God is God, the great I AM. It isn’t only the volume of our voice and our crazy, busy efforts that praise and exalt Him. He dwells in the quiet, calm stillness of our peace. From there He will do great things.

Have a Wonderful Wednesday,

Gretchen

The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Psalms 9:9

When I struggle with a world that disappoints, or simply can’t make since of heartache I go to the Psalms. Psalms 9 is beautiful. I encourage you to read all of it and read others often.

A refuge is a safe place that provides needed resources to survive and thrive. Oppression, forced misery. A stronghold is a refuge with protection. Do I really need to define trouble?

The LORD is our protected safe place. He is THE place where we become healthy and remain so. When oppression and trouble dog our heals, there is only one place to run, and He is waiting with open arms!

Lacing up my Sneakers,

Gretchen

And every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is LORD. Philippians 2:11.

Philippi, in northern Greece, was a Roman colony on a major East/West trade route. The city was becoming occupied by Italian settlers that were extremely loyal to Rome and had a certain entitlement as citizens of the conquering empire. There was much to be divided about, politics, culture, gender. Paul, a prisoner, writes to bring all believers into one mind, the mind of Christ.

The entire chapter 2 is great encouragement and inspiration. If we are going to share the mind of Christ, then we must find and accept His perspective on what’s important and what’s not. Proclaiming the name of Jesus is important, winning arguments is not. Arguing is an art form, a great diversion, entertainment, a habit, but a terrible excuse for communication.

Paul reminds and assures that there will come a day when every tongue will acknowledge that Jesus is LORD. I wish it were everyday and it is frustrating that it is not, but every man was woven together with free choice. No matter what choice is being lived out, there will be a reckoning and they will know Truth.

Do not be divided, resentful or vengeful over choices that aren’t yours to make. Proclaim the glory of salvation, bask in the joy of redemption, pray for the lost, for on the day of the LORD, God will be God and He’ll take of it.

Have a Marvelous Monday,

Gretchen

Blessings

Many years ago I was given a most precious compliment. I was told, “If I ever have to face down the gates of hell, you’re the one I’m taking with me. You’re strong and I can count on you.” There are many things I’ve longed to achieve; knowledge, wealth, beauty, but at the end of the day, I’ll take this.

The passage of time is marked by memorable moments, some of our own choosing and some just history’s traditions. These moments or milestones, whether pleasant and sweet or devastating, bring about two reflexive responses: Looking back and looking forward.

New Years is a milestone, a marker in the passage of time. It’s not universal (The Chinese New Year is observed by many SE Asian countries) so there is no magic in the day. But it is a day in American culture for considerable introspection. We look back and evaluate, then make plans for successful movement forward, attaching hopes and expectations.

This past year I began my blog, thus beginning a relationship with each of you, my readers. Thank you and in this coming year I wish each of you the prosperity of peace and rest, the generosity of time to savor and the warmth of comfort in a job well done. I also hope that you have or find that person you can count when life is really tough, and learn that you have the strength to carry someone else.

Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2

I have attached a youtube video, An Irish Blessing. Enjoy it if you would like.

Happy New Year! And may God hold you in the palm of His hand.

Gretchen

The Spirit of the LORD is on me, because He has anointed Me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free. Luke 4:18

Jesus was baptized, went into the wilderness for forty day to fast and pray, was tempted by satan and now returns to Galilee and the city of Nazareth, the place of His birth. Speaking in the synagogue on the Sabbath, He takes the scroll and reads from the book of Isaiah the prophet, who spoke as though he personally knew Jesus 700 years before His birth.

Jesus is revealing Himself, telling people who He is, why he is there and what He plans to do.

* Proclaim freedom for those held in bondage and have no advocate.
* Restore vision to those who are blind and cannot find their way.
* Give justice to the oppressed that have no voice.

It is not only eternal life Jesus came to give, but life!!!! Believe, Repent and LIVE.

Love,

Gretchen

Such confidence we have through Christ before God. 2 Corinthians 3:4

How do you disarm a Christian? You make them question their worthiness, their logic, the cross, the Holy Spirit. The church at Corinth struggled with every confusion in their day that we deal with in ours. They were attacked on every side with conflicting opinions, compromised theologies, antagonisms and personal agendas. The faith and discipleship of these new converts was being crippled by these internal disputes. Satan delighted because they were defeating themselves from the inside out.

Paul reminds that IT IS THROUGH CHRIST ALONE that we are saved and by the power of the Holy Spirit we live in victory.

A confident Christian is a powerful force. There is a boldness to tell the nations, a kindness that puts others first (God will provide our needs so why push and shove) and a grace that accepts and extends forgiveness.

Satan is a thief and his target is your confidence. Know you are treasured and loved, your sins are gone, and you stand justified and Holy before God.

Love,

Gretchen

A bruised reed He will not break, and a smoldering wick He will not snuff out. In faithfulness He will bring forth justice. Isaiah 42:3

Chapter 42 contains a poem referring to a servant. The servant is the LORD. New Testament writers quote this passage often and know this servant to be the Christ. (See post script)

Verse 3 holds two metaphors that bookend what the author of love first wrote in the story of man. ‘He will not break a bruised reed.’ A bent piece of straw may hold a scar, but it is not severed and left to rot. God’s work is NOT to complete a destruction begun by sin. Instead He binds up, supports, heals, restores.

‘A smoldering wick He will not snuff out.’ Referring to an old fashioned lamp, the writer depicts an empty oil reservoir, a smoking ember, a near useless vessel. But where there is life, there is purpose, fresh oil and a new bright light shining into ‘the dark dungeon for those that sit in darkness.’ (vs. 7)

God is creator, author, designer. He does not destroy or decommission. He is faithful and just. He redeems and gives purpose.

Love,

Gretchen

Matthew 12:15-21, Mark 10:45, Luke 4:16-21 and 22:37, Acts 8:32-35 and I Peter 2:21-24.

We love because He first loved us. If anyone says, “I love God,” yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God, who he has not seen. And He has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother. I John 4:19-21 (I encourage you to read all I John 4:7-21)

God is the source of our love, its strength, its power, its purpose. It’s not an option and God doesn’t accept excuses or give exemptions. Love is a command and we must obey.

Have a great Wednesday!

Gretchen