Month: January 2019

So Solomon did evil in the eyes of the LORD; he did not follow the LORD completely, as David his father had done.  I Kings 11:6 (I Kings 9-11, II Chronicles 7-9)

This was Israel’s golden age.  David built the kingdom, Solomon built the Temple and Israel was the most powerful nation on earth. Outside of Israel, Homer wrote the Iliad and the Odyssey, Greek history begins. Egypt, Assyria and Babylon were weak. Everything was headed in the right direction. God appeared to Solomon twice and in addition, there was The Law. God is always very clear about right and wrong. They gray areas we struggle with are not a vagary of God.

The demand was simple: Have NO OTHER god’s before Me!  Solomon could argue they weren’t his, but those of his wives, but they became his by association.  No amount of wisdom can exonerate sin, only humble confession on man’s part and grace and mercy on God’s part can do that.  David repented, Solomon did not. An end of peace and prosperity was the result.

There is no manipulation of sin and grace. You can’t outsmart your Creator, nor can you find redemption in any act of man. Yes, God did an amazing thing when He created you, but you have a free will that can destroy. The Throne of The One True God is where the action is. In feast or famine, all your needs will be met because He’s THAT God………The God!

Love,

Gretchen

Since the day I brought My people Israel out of Egypt, I have not chosen a city in any tribe of Israel to have a temple built for My Name to be there, but I have chosen David to rule My people Israel.” I Kings 8:16 (I Kings 8)

The splendor of Solomon’s Jerusalem had to be seen to be believed. As a matter of fact, people of station and wealth did travel from miles away, just to satisfy their curiosity about this wise and prosperous ruler.  Jerusalem became the center of the world!  Still today, the three largest religions on earth, Christianity, Judaism and Islam, call Jerusalem their birthplace.  A closer look at the history of this ‘City on a Hill’ reveals that God calls people, not places. David, the warrior king, chose Jerusalem for its strategic, military benefit, not a divine religious purpose. David dreamed of a Temple. Solomon saw that the Ark of the Covenant had a secure place to rest and God was honored with a permanent dwelling place.

God’s presence filled His Temple. He was pleased, but it wasn’t the location, gold or even the prestige that kept Him in residence. God remained because man daily chose to grow and maintain a relationship of faith and obedience with Him, their Creator, Protector and Provider.

Do you ever question your time and place in history, or imagine that a change of geography would make a tremendous difference in your ability to serve God?  It is the nature of man’s imagination to question the validity of one’s existence, but never let it be an excuse to minimize God’s purpose and love!  God’s residence IS about location, location, location, and your soul is His prime real-estate!  In return, we receive His vision, and OH MY, WHAT A VIEW!

Have a Great Day,

Gretchen

The people of Judah and Israel were as numerous as the sand on the seashore; they ate, they drank and they were happy. I Kings 4:20 (I Kings 4-7 and II Chronicles 2-6)

Solomon was an incredible leader.  He ran vast enterprises and administrated a massive bureaucracy, wrote 3000 proverbs, 1005 songs, he was a scientist, botanist and responsible for three books of the Bible, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and Song of Solomon. Peace and prosperity were his legacy.

Israel began their existence as God’s chosen people with only a tent as their place of worship and evidence of God’s dwelling. This was the custom for over 400 years. God ordained this structure, David designed it and Solomon built the lavish, marvel of ancient history!  However, its glory was short-lived. Within five years of Solomon’s death it was plundered and then completely destroyed.

This temple, of incredible pomp and grandeur, honored God only as far as man’s heart reflected the same awe and glory. The gold embossed wood and stone came tumbling down when Israel’s heart turned to other god’s and their earthly comforts and pleasures took precedence over God’s law. Nothing of material or earthly origin compares to God’s concern with the soul of man.

Love,

Gretchen

“So give Your servant a discerning heart to govern Your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?” I Kings 3:9 (I Kings 1-3 and II Chronicles 1)

As King David lived out his last days, his son Adonijah, the heir apparent, sets himself up as king.  The prophet Nathan intervenes and David has Solomon anointed before he dies. Shortly afterward, God appears to Solomon in a dream, directing the young leader to make a request for anything he desires. Solomon’s answer, verses 6-9, was a humble and noble request for wisdom.

The fear of the LORD  is the beginning of all wisdom. Solomon asked for much more than just academic prowess and a clever mind.  He wanted to know right from wrong and longed to lead as God designed. God was pleased and through this gift Solomon gained power, wealth and fame.

Through this simple request for supreme insight, Solomon served his people justly and the kingdom prospered.  If there is anything I personally feel unworthy of asking for, it is wisdom.  My logical brain says I must study, research and work hard to achieve this reward, but God’s pleasure signifies otherwise. Every breath taken and every blood cell pumped through the body is a function of the human brain.  Your brain is your life! And it must be given to God if you are to truly live.

Love,

Gretchen

Teach me Your way, O LORD, and I will walk in Your truth, give me an undivided heart, that I may fear Your name. Psalm 86:11 (Psalms 37, 86, 138)

The direction of David’s life was very often propelled by the wickedness of others. Was he constantly in survival mode, paralyzed by circumstances beyond his control? A lot of no with a little bit of yes. He did have to deal daily with sin, sometimes his, certainly that of those who wished him ill for the gain of their own selfish agenda.  David adopted habits that focused correct perspective and allowed good to prevail in the midst of evil.

Psalm 37 is a series of proverbial sayings pointing to the dominance of good over bad. No matter how bleak things seem, sin will be punished.  There were many times David had to confidently stand on the side of right and then wait patiently for the LORD to move. God was always faithful.

David’s philosophy for living in the world of grief and wrong doing was: Do good, rely totally on God and trust in His infinite love and faithfulness. It has proven victorious.

Happy Monday!

Gretchen

The first attraction I felt toward the man that would someday become my husband was his adventurous spirit, born of a zest for life and a courage to embrace the unknown. I have none of these attributes.  I look out upon the world and see hazards and chaos waiting to swallow me whole. Keith’s fearless approach to living drew me to him like a moth to a flame.

The weekends of our young marriage were spent in or on one motorized contraption or another, going where most people weren’t even willing to walk.  I rode white knuckled and breathless until the day I realized Keith had an uncommon knowledge and talent for what he called ‘entertainment’ and he didn’t want to die anymore than I did. In this moment he became invincible, super human, and I learned the art of fun.

Then…..there was a Sunday afternoon…..along a river….in the middle of nowhere. The weather had grown warm, inviting us to enjoy the outdoors, so off we went for a couple of hours.  We were we bouncing and bumping over, through and around rocks and mud, daring nature’s obstacle course to beat us at our game, when suddenly, loose gravel in the river’s bend gave way and we sank into deep, cold water. None of Keith’s skill or the mechanical strength of our 4×4 could save us.  We had to abandoned ship/jeep.

For the first time ever my husband and his machine couldn’t get us home. He was human once again and I became more aware than ever, in the danger of our escapades. For a while I took no joy in the things that had been so fun. But then, I found the secret to surviving life with the ultimate adventurer: Look at his face and listen to his voice. Keith’s expression told the story in his heart, the inflections of his voice reflected the intensity of his thoughts. If he wasn’t worried, I wasn’t going to be either.  I found the way back to faith and trust in something I didn’t understand but wanted to experience. 

These same things apply to our walk with God.  There is nothing that intimidates or alarms our Heavenly Father.  He never gazes down upon His creation and thinks, “Wow, I’m not sure how to handle this.”  But it is hard to find perfect peace when we don’t see the whole picture and understand all that is transpiring. So, seek God’s face and listen to His voice. It will reveal His character, power and plan, and grant you comfort and assurance.

“The LORD Bless you and keep you; the LORD make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn His face toward you and give you peace.”  Numbers 6:24-25

Happy 2019!

Gretchen

He set the earth on its foundations; it can never be moved. Psalm 104:5 (Psalm 104 and 145)

David not only wrote songs for an army marching toward, battle, but returning in victory. Psalm 145 conveys everything from thanksgiving to mercy, focusing on the personal characteristics of God as it applies to His relationship to man. Psalm 104 recognizes God’s detailed attention as Creator and Caretaker.

The marvels and grandeur of all creation declare the love of God.  Rather than continue with my ramblings today, I encourage you to read and bask in David’s words and possibly the tune and lyrics of Swedish pastor, Carl Boberg and missionary Stuart K. Hine, heard in the hymn, How Great Thou Art.   

Love,

Gretchen 

But I have stilled and quieted my soul; like a weaned child with its mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me. Psalm 131:2 (Psalm 47, 86, 131, 133)

We are called daily to simple childlike trust. Instinct and culture drives mankind to independence of everyone and everything, but this goal is unattainable, for no man is an island. Jesus taught that it is appropriate and desirable that all men approach the Father, His and ours, as children.

The weaning of a child is time for celebration. The child has survived the fragile state of infancy. Now a toddler, this child is still totally dependent on guidance, sustenance and protection. My own young daughters, who knew there would be warmth and food, would come to me at some time each day, often in hush of mornings or evenings, push gently on my stomach and say, “Make a lap.” I cherished those moments of bending to receive the comfort of our communion. David knew the great comfort of finding every need met by a gentle, loving and Almighty Father. That comfort is ours too, for Jesus reminded us to come before the Throne as a child. (Mark 10:15, Luke 18:17)

When in trouble, every youngster turns to the safest place they know, usually an adult who has proven faithful and kind. God set Himself as our place of refuge. It isn’t our weakness that defines our habits of safe harbor, but rather, God’s strength alone. He has made a place for each of us within His arms and upon His lap.

Snuggle down!

Gretchen

Praise be to the the LORD my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle.  Psalm 144:1                                                                                                                                       

No king is saved by the size of his army, no warrior escapes by his great strength. Psalm 33:1

For His anger lasts only a moment, but His favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning. Psalm 30:5

David did not chose to be a warrior king. He was a shepherd, a musician and poet, in our modern language, a lover not a fighter. His position as Israel’s leader demanded he go to war, so, for wisdom and strength, he turned to the One who anointed him. God’s power would prevailed.

Psalm 144 is a battle hymn, a marching chant, who’s rhythm kept an army moving in unison formation, reminded and assured of their purpose and victory. Psalm 33 reflects David’s later humility, learned through total reliance on God.  After David conquered Jerusalem, he built a permanent residence within the fortress.  This song was part of the dedication celebration, with mindfulness to the planned Temple his son Solomon would complete.

Every man journey’s is fraught with controversy, conflict and challenge. Our troubles are as unique as we are, therefore, our deliverance from despair is personal and intimate and deserving of a new, specific, song of praise. God’s eternal and enduring love far exceeds today’s pain of sin. Joy comes in the morning! Praise be to God.

Happy Thursday,

Gretchen

Remember not the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to Your love remember me, for You are good, O LORD. Psalm 25:7 (Psalm 25, 29, 36, 65, 100)

The song of a sin sick soul. 

God chooses to forget our transgressions. For the One that matters, they never happened once they have been confessed and forgiven. If only our minds and hearts were so capable and forgetful. David reminds himself often that he is not known to God by his failures, but as a man with only one desire, to vigorously chase God’s heart.

God sees us are we are, not what we were, but thoroughly, transparently and truthfully, the person He created, His supreme design restored to its original glory.

Every fleeting dream, and each devastating loss is breathed in the presence of an Almighty Comforter. The world may misunderstand or misinterpret intent, and as much as they pretend that one’s best effort is good enough, we all know it is not so.  But, in these things, where mankind disappoints, God is perfection. He gets you, and He’s got it right because He is good.

Love,

Gretchen