Month: April 2018

As the old saying goes, ‘From evildoers come evil deeds,’ so my hand will not touch you.  I Samuel 24:13

Saul became Israel’s first king, ending the era of Judges. He was a donkey farmer when Samuel, the last judge, anointed him. Although he was ‘the most handsome man in Israel, and very tall, his countrymen did not accept him as a legitimate leader. He was insecure, an issue that remained a problem throughout his life and interfered with his obedience to God’s commands.

Following Saul’s early victories as a warrior king, he gave God glory, but failure came with bitterness, impatience and rebellion, followed by depression and fear. Servants, desperate to help, brought a shepherd boy to sooth the king with his music.  Saul and his court had no idea that Samuel had already anointed David as Saul’s replacement.  But when David killed the giant, Israel had a new hero and from that day forward, Saul despised him and eventually, sought opportunity to kill him.

In the setting of the above verse David and his army are hiding, somewhat exiled, in the Desert of En Gedi, living in crags and caves.  Saul’s army comes looking and Saul steps into a cave for privacy to relieve himself, not knowing David and his soldiers are near enough to kill him.

David chooses to spare Saul’s life. By this act he submits to God’s authority to judge and act and relinquishes his power, his rights, to God’s sovereignty. Evil does not fix evil. 

God’s plan is peace and love. We must set aside our perspective, agenda, opinion and man given rights, for the superiority of God’s omnipotent wisdom.  He is love and we are in good hands.

Love,

Gretchen

Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,’ says the LORD, who has compassion on you. Isaiah 54:10

We are very quick to attribute all that’s wrong in the world to God’s great plan…..destiny, fate, simply God’s will……but God is the God of peace and order.  He is Good, He is Kind and He is eternal.  The geological earth does shake, hills do fade away, and sometimes it is your emotional world that has eroded.  Still, God is NOT rattled!  He is not intimidated by the chaos in your life.  He alone can remove each tangled strand and reweave the threads into a strong and beautiful tapestry. He alone……

Jerusalem’s confidence that God would protect them at all costs, no matter what they did morally, was shattered when the temple was destroyed and many Jews were taken into exile. This state of affairs was the consequence of blatant disobedience, man demanding his will over God’s. Things were a mess, hopeless. And then God speaks through His prophet Isaiah sending a message of hope and promise, “I AM NOT SHAKEN, I AM COMPASSIONATE!”

God loves. It is what He does.  He takes no joy in the pain that sin causes, but when man demands his freewill, God allows him his own way, thus, bringing down calamity on himself. The antidote for this is an unfailing love and compassion that shines great light on the road to peace.

You have a choice: Quake in the aftermath of sin or stand firm with an Gracious God.

Have a Beautiful Monday,

Gretchen

There is nothing better for the inside of a girl, than the outside of a horse. Today’s inspiration is a gift from my oldest child, Leah Michelle Collie, the most beautiful cowgirl God ever made.

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we reap a harvest, if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9
My high school graduation gift from my parents was a short, red, stubborn horse I named Art. Born with the heart of a lion, Art’s passion was not in the arena, much to my dismay, but on the trail. There was never a gully too steep or creek too wide for my little trail blazer. My friends and I love to trail ride. If we ever go riding through a rough place and have a “new to riding” friend, we mount them on brave little Art. He is faithful and true.
One sunny afternoon a large group, me included, set off for a long ride through some rugged country. I was atop my trusty little steed. A few hours in we came to a large creek crossing. Art and I were bringing up the rear so I didn’t hear the instructions on avoiding a two foot, underwater drop off. When our turn came, Art plowed ahead without hesitation. In his hurried fashion we quickly met the watery hole. Art fell head first into the rushing creek submerging us both. Miraculously, he stumbled back to his feet keeping me in the saddle and getting us both safely to the other side.
After reaching dry ground my friends and I spent the next few minutes letting Art cough up water and catch his breath. For the first time ever, I saw fear in his eyes. If you have ever been around horses you know they are animals that are easily traumatized. Seeing his fear spurred my fear to life. Had my wonderful, lion hearted gelding just lost his bravery? Would he ever be the same? In addition to these worries, we had another river that couldn’t be avoided on the path back to camp. Would he cross the next creek at all? Was I in for a struggle just to get us both home?
Shaken, I saddled up and headed back toward camp. I worried all the way to the next creek crossing. Much to my delight my brave horse laid back his ears and dove off into the water. Art brought us safely back to civilization, never letting his momentary fear keep him from pressing on.
In Paul’s letter to early Christians of Galatia, he told them “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we reap a harvest, if we do not give up”. As Christians we are required to be persistent and not give up in our quest to do what is good. Like Art and I learned, sometimes there will be hidden drop offs and moments of weariness and fear, but remain persist for the harvest ahead. While Art’s harvest is a bag of hay and bucket of oats, ours will be an eternity in heaven.
Happy Trails to All of You,
Love,
Leah

I will gather all nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat. There I will enter into judgment against them concerning my inheritance, My people Israel, for they scattered my people among the nations and divided up my land. Joel 3:2

Very little is known about the prophet Joel, except He is quoted in Acts 2:17-21, and hints of the Gospel period and the coming of the Holy Spirit. Joel tells of a great swarm of locust and an extended drought that left Judah devastated. The people cried out to God and He came to their rescue bringing prosperity. Finally, Joel proclaims that everyone, someday, will be judged.

God will hold each and every person accountable for their actions, morals and sentiments. Those who have oppressed God’s people will be punished. Those who have abused God Himself will be condemned and those who have walked in faith and love will receive what they have endured and persevered to attain, eternal Glory. No one will be exempt. God will not be fooled by man’s opinions, manipulations or ministrations. God is God and we are not. He has everything under control.

Love,

Gretchen

Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our Salvation. Psalm 95:1

The Psalms were written for worship, the act of exclaiming God as the One True God, maker of Heaven and earth. Our adoration begins by proclaiming what we have experienced as fact, and continues in our hope to the future. Worship is not about man and his emotion, it is an action, something that we do. God has created the earth as the pasture for us, His sheep.

All that we need is provided by His loving hand. He does not have to do anything for us. He is God and we are His rebellious flock. Still, the persistence of the Shepherd’s voice draws us to safety, security and eternal life.

Like this Psalmist, those who have gone before us blazed a trail we can follow. The Solid Rock of Salvation is the only place to set your feet. All other ground is sinking sand.

Singing from the Highest, Hardest Rock!

Gretchen

And where these have been forgiven, there is no longer any sacrifice for sin. Hebrew 10:18

It is taught, beginning at a very early age, hard work will get you where you want to go. There is logic in an exchange. I do, therefore I get. In Old Testament Judaic life, there was an exchange in the covenant relationship between God and His people. They obey, He provides. When man broke the law of God, a sacrifice was made for atonement and man was again, right with God. Another exchange.

God’s will is grace and mercy, the foundation of perfect love. There is no exchange. God gives, and gives, and gives, the end.

This doesn’t make sense and contradicted traditional Judaic family and community practice. If you wanted to be Holy, then you must follow strict rules. Man’s obedience was tangible, and definitive. The early Jewish Christians struggled to turn loose of their material means of coming to God. It didn’t please God at all. He wants our faith in the blood of His Son, the final sacrifice.

It is easy to put hope in determination and hard work and it is difficult to rest in faith. The tangible verses the spiritual. BUT! God’s grace is sufficient, no need to sacrifice anything other than your free will.

Happy Thursday

Gretchen

As a shepherd leads His sheep, calling each by its pet name, and counts them to see that none are lost or strayed, so God does with stars and planets. Isaiah 40:26

God’s power is endless. He has created and named everything in the universe, even those things in deep space where man has never seen light and can only imagine. God is there in a very personal way.

Stars and planets are inanimate, yet scientific evidence proves they sing and work in harmony, for our good, because God is Good. The Heavens display His wonders.

And then……. He knows my name too!  This loving Shepherd calls my name. Not to summons me to duty, nor to rebuke or condemn, but to invite me into His presence, His security, His love and shelter. He knows your name, your pet name, the one that describes your very best qualities, and He is calling. No need to answer. Just turn your face to the Son and go.

Love,

Gretchen

Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience an having our bodies washed with pure water. Hebrews 10:22

The first readers of Hebrews were Christian Jews, those who accepted Jesus as the long awaited Messiah. They had a working knowledge of the Old Testament, something gentiles would not have had. They understood the reference to cleansing both spiritually and physically. The author of this early church letter instructed these people not to return to laws and rules, but to remain faithful to Jesus’ resurrection and salvation.

Formerly, the way to God was through priestly intercession and sacrifice in the temple, with much pomp, circumstance and ceremonial washing. And then Jesus, the final Lamb, came. His blood is sufficient to cover all our sins and give man open access to God.

Today we practice sacraments and various acts of worship. They bring us comfort and ready our hearts for a closer, more intimate relationship with our Creator/Savior.  They do not save us, but  help us keep God first. Draw near to God with confidence. Jesus’ blood has cleansed us and we are worthy to stand before the Throne.

Love,

Gretchen

Sing to the LORD a new song, for He has done marvelous things; His right hand and His Holy arm have worked salvation for Him. Psalm 98:1

Two things about this Psalm: I do not like change and most of what I learned as a child I learned from songs.

If I can quote scripture from memory, it’s because I learned it with a tune. I love those old songs and think everyone else should too.  When some young whipper-snapper comes along and messes with the cadence of my familiar syllables I don’t like it!!! UNTIL……..I take a short walk through the youth department, or a drive a bus full of students on a trip, or over hear some children singing on the playground and their voices are bellowing out praise! It is their song, in their moment and it is embedding the character and word of God on their hearts. These new songs are the most beautiful sounds on earth! And I should at least hum along.

We are diverse.  God saved me from my sins and He saved you from yours, but our journeys were different. So also will be our gratitude, testimony and praise.You sing your song, I’ll sing mine and together we’ll make a symphony of praise!

Love,

Gretchen

Easter of 1969 was epic in the lives of Greg, Gretchen and Gayle Jones. We made our mother cry.

Rural southeast Iowa was our home. Father pastored two small churches but life was humble. So that my sister and I could have new outfits for Easter, my mom took old prom gowns and repurposed the taffeta and lace to make two frilly little dresses.  My brother Greg sported a suit of brown trousers, white shirt, bowtie and plaid jacket. My parents didn’t have much but they made the respectful behavior and tidy appearance of their children a priority.

At the crack of dawn Easter morning, mother roused all of us from our beds. We were to attend a community sunrise service, followed by the regular worship service where my father pastored and then off to my grandparents home in the next town over, to enjoy lunch and an egg hunt with all the cousins. Of course the Kodaks would come out to capture the moment.

Following the early service my sister, brother and I wandered off into the cemetery next to the little white country church, while my parents greeted and visited with neighbors. We were six, five and three years of age. When you are unaware of death and burial, but have an active imagination, fences and tombstones imitate rock climbing walls and obstacles courses. I’m not really sure what unfolded in a few short minutes, but somehow a dapper ensemble was torn and dirtied with grass stains, stitches holding a blue ruffle in place got ripped and a nose bleed dripped onto a yellow collar. That’s when my mother cried. 

She did not rant, rave and scream. She sat stoically in the front seat of our 68 Ford and quietly wept, her bouffant trembling a little with each silent sob. Dad put us in the back seat and three big eyed little children wondered how the world had gotten so topsy turvy. We had no idea our mother could cry. Dad was quiet, not really knowing where to start correcting all that had gone wrong.

The Jones children had no comprehension of the sacrifice made by our parents. We got up each day and did what kids do. Understanding that food, water, clothing, all we had that kept us alive and content, was provided at a cost, paid by someone else. Awareness and gratitude were not natural instincts, but a lesson we needed to learn. Mother wasn’t angry that we acted as children act, she was hurt because her labor of love was ruined and the image she worked hard to create was marred.

Mom and dad took us home, removed our torn and stained clothing. They cleaned, restitched and ironed out the wrinkles. Soon things were put right again and we set off for service number two a little more aware that our actions had the power to hurt others, even if a gift was given without obligation.

Salvation is offered without cost to any of us. But there was a price and it was paid. Our sin causes pain to the One that loves us most. However, that labor is irrelevant when we are restored to the perfect image of our Creator, just as He designed us to be.

But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on Him and by His wounds we are healed.  Isaiah 53: 5

Have a Blessed Resurrection Sunday,

Gretchen