Month: September 2017

“In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” Luke 15:10

Tax collectors and sinners had gathered around Jesus, but the Pharisees, the educated religious authority, was muttering about Jesus’ uncouth behavior and the ill company he kept. Jesus begins by telling a parable that shows the worth placed on each individual soul, followed by a story showing the diligence of the One seeking the lost. This verse is the concluding statement of the parable of the lost coin, verses 8-10.

God is personal. In contrast, the ruling establishments, both Roman and Jewish, see people as collective entities. Citizens are a number with a tax value. The Jewish rulers, filled with prejudice and legalism, see people only as an asset to their personal gain with social climbing and networking prioritizing their relationships.

Heaven rejoices when the lost are found! There is no sorting of, or standard set for those sought. They are lost and God is seeking them. They are valuable and precious, He is inexhaustible and long suffering. Sin is personal in its destruction, but the God that created you and loves you most sees every facet of your desperate wondering and He alone will find you, and then He will throw a party!

Hanging Streamers,

Gretchen

A Mommy Moment in a Museum

Several years ago in the fall of the year, my husband chaperoned our local FFA chapter representatives to Louisville, Kentucky for their National Conference. While there, our students visited many famous landmarks and museums including Church Hill Downs, home of the Kentucky Derby. Upon returning Keith told of the sites he had seen and how much he wished to share it with his girls, me, Thing 1 and Thing 2. Spring Break rolled around and off we went to central Kentucky.

I gave birth to Elly May Clampett’s soul sister. Her name is Leah. She loves the smell of dirt and all things furry, so as her mother, I learned with little real knowledge, to appreciate all things equestrian and she was excited to be in the heart of thoroughbred country. As I was making my way through the museum displays dedicated to horse racing’s history, Leah called, “Mom come here and look at this.” She was at a kiosk where you could access historical races. As the film began she talked me through the techniques the jockey was using and how the horse was pacing itself as it pulled away from the pack, and of course, she acknowledged the perfect bone and muscle structure she recognized. I looked at her in stunned amazement well aware of the academic prowess she was capable of but refused to strive toward. I said, “Lucy, you’ve got some splainin’ to do.” She replied, “Mom! I read!” Indeed she did love horse books and had accumulated quite a personal library.

This child of mine walked when she was seven months old. She was born muscular, dexterous and on the go. My husband and I were investing hours and dollars in an effort to turn her into the first class athlete we thought she was meant to be and she was complying, but on that afternoon, at a race track famous for Mint Juleps and gambling, God revealed the heart of my daughter.

Proverbs 22:6 says, “Train up a child in the way she should go, And when she is old she will not depart from it.” Simply put….show your child the way to the Throne of God! IT is the way they should go! Make it your priority and it will be their’s too.

In the months following our excursion we put away the ball uniforms and bought a truck, trailer, horse and blue corduroy jacket. The rest is history as this girl now holds a degree in agriculture and works in crop research to keep the world’s food source clean and in plentiful supply.

Years later I asked Leah why she never spoke up about the sports teams we forced on her. She said she just wanted to make us happy. The truth is, SHE makes me happy…..and proud…. when she’s just her wonderful self.

Seek God’s vision for your children and direct your resources and love toward helping them become what God wants them to be. It isn’t possible to micro manage or cloister them into Holiness. God, through His Son Jesus Christ, can and He will show them what He made them to be. With great excitement they will share it with you and then there will be much peace, praising and promise as you all walk into tomorrow.

Love,

Gretchen

From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets the name of the LORD is to be praised. Psalms 113:3

The rising and setting of the sun means a day and a measured distance from where the sun crests over the horizon and later, sinks opposite leaving darkness. Our planet tilts on its axis, spins at exactly the right speed and orbits our own personal, life giving star, marking linear time. From Heaven’s view, sunrise and sunset are infinite, time is irrelevant.  One man’s gloaming is another’s daybreak, eternal both forward and backward.

Across the surface of earth, days begin, days end. There is nothing to be found that is greater that God but that is not what defines Him. Love does.

From the beginning of time to each quickly passing moment of our present day, God’s knows every minuscule moment and facet of our daily lives and He cares. (Read the entire Psalm, it is lovely.) All creation displays God’s spectacular glory, but His choice is to love us, to hear our cries and to bring comfort, sustenance and joy.

God could have done so many things. He chose us. Choose Him back and praise His name.

Love,

Gretchen

Let the Heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let them say among the nations, “The LORD reigns!” I Chronicles 16:31

David’s first order of business when he became Israel’s second kings was to return the Ark of the Covenant, the vessel holding the Ten Commandments, a pot of manna and later Aaron’s staff, to the Jewish people. It represented God’s presence and David committed to bring it home to Jerusalem.

David’s desire to bring the Ark of the Covenant to the capitol he established for himself showed his intent to put God at the center of his kingdom and make worship of the One True God a priority. This entire passage is a model for worshiping the great and vast power of God and man’s total reliance upon His grace and mercy.

The praise psalms/hymns that were sung on this day of celebration so many years ago are the exact words we use today. In the ages between then and now there have been many tunes and instruments used and voices raised to do what those people did then, praise God. What a beautiful thought that we, Christians throughout the ages, all share these common acknowledgements in worship. We are one, we are God’s children.

Have a beautiful day,

Gretchen

 

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.” Luke 2:10

The Christmas story, Heaven’s glory, it’s Prince of Peace has come to begin the long promised work of love. The sky opened and the angels proclaimed good news, joy and hope. Just as you and I would be, the shepherds in the fields were a little astounded and yet, the comfort of God’s presence fell on them and their lives were forever changed as they left their livelihoods and went in search of their eternity.

That tiny beautiful, baby, the Son of God and Son of Man, came for one reason only, to die for you and me. The scripture accounts from Luke are full of wondrous beauty just as the season we celebrate fills our windows and streets with glitter and shine. BUT, He came to die, for all people.

Christmas gives much to celebrate, but for the LAMB OF GOD, it was a choice to leave His Throne as King of Kings and come as a helpless infant, grow to manhood, fast for forty days, struggle with satan, live as an itinerant missionary and become the victim of man’s greed for power and self autonomy that ended in the most violent, humiliating death imaginable.

Why would a King bother? It was no bother, because you are loved.

Have a Blessed Day,

Gretchen

 

“Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved.” Romans 10:13

Saint Augustine accredited the book of Romans for convicting him of his sin and bringing him to salvation. Martin Luther is also said to have been moved by the simplicity of theology written by Paul to the new Christians in Rome. Both of these men came from a background where much emphasis was placed on works. Realizing the only thing required to be worthy of Heaven’s glory is salvation was totally new thinking and loving.

The news of Jesus’ death and resurrection came to Rome via Jews that were present at Pentecost. But later, Paul strove to emphasize the simplicity of Jesus’ call. He who once worked so hard to be worthy of God, realized his misplaced zeal in a life changing encounter. His mission became spreading the simple good news, “In His name you will be saved.” That’s all. It is free, and it is eternal.

The world always has a price for services rendered, often with a hidden agenda. It is hard to wrap your mind and heart around something with no strings attached but here it is: Salvation. Jesus wants you to accept it so badly He died for it. He’s already paid the price, just take it.

Love,

Gretchen

Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. I Corinthians 16:13

The power words in this verse, firm, faith, courageous, strong, are not the things of day dreams. They are attributes that show up in times of great duress and reveal servitude toward one another.

Of all the churches Paul planted, the Corinthian church struggled most with consistent Christian behavior. They dealt constantly with sexual misconduct, false prophets, deceitful workmen…. Paul expresses that the walk of the faithful will have trials. Character, faith and strength will determine a very important outcome beyond ourselves.

Paul is not giving up on a congregation that struggles with sin. He is patient, loving and available with every opportunity given. The phrase, “Be on your guard,” means we are not, nor will we ever be, immune to satan’s threat, but firm strength and courage in the face of temptation and confusion will tune your ears to God’s call and your eyes to His Throne.

Love,

Gretchen

The Sovereign LORD is my strength; He makes my feet like the feet of a deer, He enables me to tread on heights. Habakkuk 3:19

A few years before Babylon invaded the Jewish nation of Judah, wiping it off the face of the earth, Habakkuk raises the question, “Why God, do you allow evil to prevail?” Judah is sinful and will be punished but why allow the more sinful nation of Babylon to gain and prosper at Judah’s expense. God replies that Babylon will be justly judged for their sins too, but in the meantime, “The righteous will live by their faith.” 2:4

In the midst of severe adversity, faith in justice is difficult to grasp and hold. Habakkuk asks, “How long?” Hidden in this plea of agony is an affirmation of faith. Determined to live triumphantly trusting God, Habakkuk’s faith brought about an active, meaningful and productive life.

It is okay to raise questions about pain, oppression, violence and injustice in our world today. Questions don’t mark a wavering faith, but rather a request for correct guidance and action. The end result must always be: Let God be God. He will carry out His plan and we will answer our call, but our main role is righteousness. In this we find and live victory.

Love,

Gretchen

Just Pray

I often search through my Bible looking for a specific passage to answer a specific question. It usually turns out that I stumble into God’s voice gently, or not, speaking to the issues of my mind and heart that I’m trying with all my might to suppress or avoid. Such was the case this past week as I studied Revelation. (Haha, no pun intended.) 5:8 says, “And when He had taken it, (The scroll) the four living creatures fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people.”

When my girls were teenagers their cousin was involved in an accident along a country road near our home. As emergency vehicles went speeding by, a few phone calls alerted us to the fact that the victims were loved ones. As a medical helicopter hovered on the horizon panic fought for control in my mind and heart and I began to pray desperately for a need I wasn’t able to describe or define. I also began contacting family and friends and asked them to pass the word, “We need urgent prayer.”

The resilience of youth is to be envied. The only fatality that day was an old UTV used to navigate the farmland all our homes are on. This moment’s tragedy was quickly overcome and we praise God for His hand of mercy that sunny afternoon. I look back and reflect on those pleas for prayer and remember a panic that wanted ALL the world to stop and pray. I did not make a list of attributes I sought in those I would ask to pray, I did not require applications or seek references, nor did I script the prayers I requested. Only…..Pray! Pray! Pray! That was all and that was enough.

John saw Heaven and in Heaven he saw Jesus, the Lamb that was slain, surrounded by the prayers of God’s people. Prayers, mine and yours, every one ever uttered, are in Heaven and Jesus delights in them, they are a fragrant incense that is pleasing.

In all other parts of our lives we sort and order things according to our personal definition of worth. This includes everything from seasoning on roasted chicken, or tofu, to the color and creed of our neighbor. But I noticed when we need help we call all prayer warriors and the only thing that matters is availability.

Jesus calls us to a childlike faith that mirrors itself in our manner of petition. I spend the better part of my days with five and six year olds. They are perfect models of ‘childlike’ and I learn much from their example. If I kept their voices in bowls that surrounded me like incense I would continuously hear, “Guess what teacher…..?”, “Teacher, can you help…….?”, “Teacher I can’t…….”, “I need you teacher…….?”, “Teacher, look……..” “Teacher, teacher…..Oh! I forgot what I was going to say.” “Teacher, I love you.” These are the petitions of childhood, THIS IS THE FAITH OF A CHILD toward the one they trust and I delight in their words.

God delights in our prayer!!! Children don’t seek deep theology, they love deeply, make their requests passionately and celebrate/worship with total abandon. Oh that we would be like them.

God’s people are invited to pray as a child. Our words are so precious to Heaven that they are saved and brought out often.

Love,

Gretchen

 

All my longings lie open before you, LORD; my sighing is not hidden from you. Psalms 38:9

Falling short of our personal standard and certainly God’s standard of Holiness is devastating. There is a grief process as we find the way once again to forgiveness and spiritual health.

David petitions God. Recognizing the punishment he is due, he pleads for mercy, confesses his sins and humbly begs God’s presence in his life once more.

Because all have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory, we have much in common with David. Nothing goes well when our relationship with God is broken. He cannot work in our lives without the sacrifice of our obedience, manifested in trust and faith.

The God that wove us together knows the longings of our heart. When we are broken and paralyzed with fear and sorrow for the place our sin has brought us, He hears, sees and answers our pleas with steadfast love, peace and strength to live again.

Happy Weekend,

Gretchen