Month: March 2017

No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs – He wants to please his commanding officer. II Timothy 2:4

The ideology of military is sacrifice for the greater good. Wise, discerning leadership is the key to successful strategy in order to achieve this goal because it begets the confidence of its soldiers who are willing to put their lives aside for the security of others. A good soldier dedicates him/herself to discipline, endurance and most of all, focus.

Paul, the author of these words, is directing his fellow missionary Timothy to persevere and not let the small stuff become the big stuff, thus distracting him and his ministry from the pure Gospel. God is kind, not quarrelsome, a tolerant and gentle teacher to those who need discipline.

We are soldiers of the cross. It is we who go to battle against evil for those who are defenseless. Our commander is all knowing, wise and loving. His purpose…..THE ONLY GOOD.

May You Have Sonshine Today,

Gretchen

That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that He is able to guard what I have trusted to Him for that day. II Timothy 1:12

Alone in prison except for Luke, Paul writes this last letter to Timothy. Death is imminent and soon, yet he is encouraging those he loves to carry on the mission they began. Paul has no regrets, fully understanding the cost of following Christ is life given in sacrifice.

Paul as a child of God, a sinner saved by grace, has unlimited trust in his Father. These words are beautiful spoken alone in two sentences, yet their poignancy takes on a powerful dimension when understood in their entire context.

In Paul’s final words of encouragement, he relates his unconditional thankfulness and confidence in the God that designed Grace before time began and provided it for him and all mankind through His Son, Jesus Christ.

Our everything, just as Paul’s, is in Christ alone.

Happy Thursday,

Gretchen

Rejoice in the LORD always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Philippians 4:4

In chains awaiting execution, Paul sends a letter to the first church he established. He has been beaten, stoned, hounded by mobs, but in all these trials he found the secret of contentment in all circumstances…..rejoice.

Sneezing, coughing, even giggling is a reflex, but rejoicing is a choice. It doesn’t happen by accident and is the antidote to defeat. We must rejoice. Especially when we don’t feel like it.

Some synonyms of rejoice are delight, celebrate, revel and triumph. These behaviors are the evidence of our faith, the secret of our success. Rejoice in all things because our hope is in the LORD.

Blessings,

Gretchen

“I will send My messenger, who will prepare the way before Me. Then suddenly the LORD you are seeking will come to His temple; the Messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come,” Says the LORD Almighty. Malachi 3:1

Malachi shows in chapter 2 that our attitude toward God’s Holiness and Sovereignty is reflected in our actions toward each other and sometimes, good things happen to bad people. Steadfast faith is stretched when simple reasoning becomes complex disillusionment.

One promise in the Biblical narrative that gives eternal hope is the assurance of justice. Those who have committed evil and refused to subject themselves to God’s authority will be dealt with appropriately and those who have been faithful will receive their reward.

Waiting is hard, specially in times of trial and despair. Hope seems impossible to grasp and cling to, yet hope is all that’s left. God has not forgotten you. He hears the cry of your heart and everything that is happening is a part of your journey to His throne and victory over sin.

Love,

Gretchen

May the LORD now show you kindness and faithfulness, and I too will show you the same favor because you have done this. II Samuel 2:6

Saul, Israel’s first king, anointed by God, has been killed in battle along with his son Jonathan. (The details of Saul’s death are better explained in I Sam. 31.) Jonathan and David shared a deep and committed friendship that reached beyond politics and traditions. When David heard of their deaths he was deeply grieved.

David was to be Israel’s next king, chosen by God’s authority rather than man’s heritage. God told David to take his household and go to Hebron where he will be anointed and begin his reign. The words above are spoken in a message sent to the men that showed proper respect to Saul and Jonathan, giving them a proper burial and dignity in death.

David was often the victim of Saul’s ruthless treatment, but before he takes the throne he chooses to lead Israel in traditional mourning, thus putting love, mercy and compassion above entitlement.

David, a man after God’s heart. Love, mercy, compassion………the things God gives, the things He expects us to share with others.

Happy Monday!

Gretchen

The Great Conundrum

The first distinguishable words out of my children’s mouths were, “No.” And “Why?”

“Yes,” or “Mother, I see and respect your point,” would have been grand but, all I got was monosyllabic defiance and quandary.

The self-actualization of one’s child means the end of life as you knew it. The power of “No,” combined with the urge to find one’s place in a huge, unknown world and get everyone sorted out as to who’s in charge and whose comfort takes priority is very tricky early development for both parent and child.

As a mother I said, “Because I said so,” more often than I should have, but I knew my child’s well being depended on my absolute authority. Free thinking was not encouraged when I was trying to get everyone headed out the door or manage healthy eating and sleeping habits. I realized early that there must be a balance between my way, and their input into family harmony and dynamics. Yet, a terror lingered in my heart. By saying ‘yes’ I would cripple my child’s spiritual being because they must fear me in order to fear God.

I wasn’t wrong, but just as my child matured, so did I. Joshua 24:15 says, “But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.”

Joshua was nearing the end of his life and leadership of the new nation of Israel. He was telling his friends and family, with great authority, exactly what he was going to do. He drew them to the realization that their choices were their own, along with the consequences they brought.

This passage gives tremendous insight and freedom in balancing the yeses and noes of others. Joshua made up his mind and the negative actions of someone else would not influence his faith. He shows great strength and trust that His God could do for everyone what He had done for him.

Then there was, “Why?”

I, like most, have a great fear of being wrong. This fear motivated me strongly to be a life long learner pursuing both knowledge and wisdom. When a little person that shares my DNA came along and began questioning everything from the color of the sky to “Do fish know they are wet?” I was frustrated and a bit overwhelmed. If I couldn’t even settle the simple things in life, how would I ever lead this little soul to a great and thriving faith?

If God chuckles I’m sure my worries and woes humor Him often, but He remains faithful. He actually loves the word, ‘Why?’ It is the beginning of knowledge and knowledge sought from God is the beginning of wisdom.

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2

God is not threatened by our inquiries. He has the answers. He honors our seeking. He will withhold nothing and transform us to His perfect purpose.

So, as frustrating as ‘No’ and ‘Why’ are as parents, remember, they are the foundational blocks of great faith.

Love,

Gretchen

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. Ezekiel. 36:26

Ezekiel prophesied the total destruction of Israel as a consequence of habitual idolatry and profanity toward God. However, God is not a God of abandonment or giving up. With the foretelling of consequences was the continued promise of a loving Savior, whose covenant is eternal for those who pursue Holiness.

The reference to ‘heart’ encompasses the total being. Complete transformation and renewal will occur. Notice this verse does not say ‘restoration.’ The implication that some of the old will remain is misleading and defeating. God removes the destructive old or dead, and makes a new living and vibrant life.

The prophecies of Ezekiel are not limited to the consequences of Israel’s disobedience. They extend to the oppressors too. Wrong decisions lead to difficult situations of abuse and oppression, but that does not mean God approves of those exacting exploitive or abusive behavior. God will renew you and deliver you from all sin that attempts to destroy you, not just your own. This sounds outrageously ambitious, but never underestimate the power of God’s love!

Living Boldly!

Gretchen

Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it. Proverbs 22:6

What constitutes a good start? What must a child understand and believe?

* God is love. Romans 8:37-39 and I John 4:8
* They are fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalms 139:14
* Jesus, God’s Son, died so they might be saved. Acts 2
* God has a plan for living in peace with the world and those around you. I Cor. 13.

The greatest leap of faith ever made by a parent is the total and complete release of their child’s life back to the Creator. This is huge! Give them Jesus, and give them back into His loving care. Let them know and they will find the same faith you have.

Love,

Gretchen

And everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved. Acts 2:21

These words were spoken by Peter on the Day of Pentecost. The Holy Spirit came like a mighty, rushing wind and tongues of fire to fill every new believer, God fearing Jews from all over the Roman Empire. They were forever changed and thus began Christianity, the Body of Christ.

Peter recalled the prophesy of Joel, and the words of David bringing all who experienced the filling of the Spirit and all who witnessed it into one clear understanding of Jesus’ purpose and God’s work of Grace and Mercy. Three thousand were saved.

We are NOT abandoned to the grave, death does NOT have the final say. Jesus died to save us from the evil of this very day and the darkness of an eternity without God.

Hallelujah!!!!

Gretchen

This is what the LORD says – your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.” Isaiah 48:17

“I’m still the daddy!”

Throughout my adult life this phrase, uttered by my father, has ended all argument within our immediate family, but has also brought great comfort knowing someone is in charge and has a plan for everyone’s best interest.

God, through His prophet Isaiah is saying the same thing. “I’m the Daddy, I’m THE GOD!”

Draw great peace from these words. Lay your burdens down and rest well, God’s on it! He’s the daddy and everything is going to be alright.

Love,

Gretchen