Month: June 2019

“Now My heart is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour?’ No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name!” Then a voice came from Heaven, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.” John 12:27-28 (Matthew 21:12-16, Mark 11:12:19, Luke 19:45-48 and John 12:20-36)

Jesus’ time on earth is closing swiftly. As children praise Him, He begins to freely speak of His crucifixion. He also curses a fig tree in illustration of a Temple that has become useless and produces nothing of value.

There were some important facts all Jews understood from the prophets of old. They knew that the Christ would never die and reign forever. The fact that Jesus was human and His life was in danger caused them great confusion. The everyday man wanted desperately to believe, but could not reconcile death and the person they strongly suspected was the long awaited Messiah. In the lesson of the seed of wheat, Jesus explains why He MUST die.

Near the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, He cleared the Temple of merchants and money changers. On Monday before His death, He repeats this act. The Temple is precious, the earthly representation of God’s dwelling among men. The Pharisees have become hypocrites and are allowing the Temple to be a common marketplace with inflated prices for the connivence of onsite purchase. It was not appropriate to pay tithe or give an offering with money baring the likeness of the emperor. One must exchange their Roman money for Jewish money before giving to God. This could be done in the market for a reasonable exchange rate, but to save a few steps, (the synagogue was between the residential area and the commercial center of town) you could exchange your coins for a higher cost. Rich Jews were exploiting the poor. They were also selling sacrificial animals in the same manner. This behavior was despicable to Jesus. He cleansed the Temple, but angered those in authority who were profiting from these practices.

In the words above we are privy to a conversation between Father and Son. Jesus dreads His coming horrors. He is still human, yet He draws strength by going to His Father. His Father responds in loving, “We’ve Got This” mode. The darker our days become, the more we draw ourselves inward, thus cutting off our source of power and strength. Jesus drew closer and closer to God, pouring out His legitimate concerns and questions. In this manner He became immune to Satan’s fury as the two went face to face in battle for your soul.

Jesus modeled a life, moment to moment, of petition and prayer. We are invited to the same relationship with Our Father.

Love,

Gretchen

“They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything-all she had to live on.” Mark 12:44 (Matthew 21:20-46, 23:1-39, Mark 11:20-33, 12:13-44, Luke 2-:1-47)

Jesus had no patience for religious pretense.  His rejection by the spiritual leaders of the day was not surprising nor an original theology. It had been going on since Israel was established. The Sadducees dismissed the idea of life after death, the Scribes were experts on Law, but totally deleted the love factor, and the Pharisees were determined that Jesus must ‘Messiah’ on their terms if He expected their cooperation! Exceptions to these wicked sects did occur and some very good and faithful men emerged during this time, but they were few.

In the parables of The Two Sons, The Tenants, The Vineyard and the Marriage Feast, Jesus speaks directly to the church leaders and the nation of Israel. The chosen people would be cast off because they ignored, rejected, and martyred God’s messengers.

The Temple had once again been cleansed by Jesus. He was ready to abandon it to its own destruction when a widow entered the area where offerings were placed.  Among the proud wealthy, publicly giving their sizable tithes and offerings came a widow who put in two very small coins, the very least someone could give. Jesus recognized her gift as more than a required amount, but a total sacrifice of all she had in this world.  This set the standard for true worship and service founded in love. After this, Jesus departed and ended His public ministry.

The state of your heart is the only state that matters. Love enough to give your life as a LIVING sacrifice and it will always be perfectly, exactly enough!

Love,

Gretchen

As summer arrives the Rooneys are again, heading across the nation’s highways and byways. A little bit work, a big bit fun! It is an adjustment transitioning from classroom and home, to the confines of a seat belt. Pit stops and destinations make it all worth it, but our years meandering the country side have not been without challenges. Crisis originates mostly within the vehicle, not beyond.  When our girls were small we noticed it took about two weeks to make the mental and physical adjustment for constant togetherness. Around day 13 there was usually a huge family throw down, miles from home on a random road in the middle of no where. Soon all hearts and minds were cleared and we travel on, having realized we are not the center of the universe.

One afternoon, eighteen years ago, the girls were in the back seat bickering about everything from air quality to quantity. For miles they argued. Their father and I attempted to distract and redirect their behavior but the battle raged, so in desperation, dad said, “No more talking until I say you can.” A few blessed seconds of silence passed. Then, a little voice said, “She’s looking at me.” The fight was on again! Keith pulled the car over, reached and spatted the leg of the offender, reminded the girls to remain quiet for a period of time and resumed driving. Less than a minute later, the same soft voice commented, “If you hit me again, I will get angrier.” Keith’s eyebrows flew up as I held back a giggle. Again the car pulled onto the shoulder of a state highway and Keith walked to a fence row, picked a switch, and removed the leaves as he returned for his defiant passenger. One swat! That was all. He put her back in her car seat, and our journey continued….until!……Through gritted teeth she threatened, “Don’t take the leaves off the switch again daddy!” This was the point of no return. On a quiet country road we turned, and as one sister cried for the other sister to stop talking back, a dad that loves his children more than life itself, took his daughter behind the car and they came to an understanding of who made the rules and who followed them.

This is not a dissertation on the benefits or detriments of corporal punishment. It is a reflection on boundaries. They are necessary in every degree of life. As we drive from one state line to the next, a single law remains the same, stay to the right of the yellow and left of the white. If you do not, you won’t grow old. Every sport has an inbounds and out of bounds. You respect these markers or you don’t play. Boundaries are common in everything we do!

Free will and boundaries are on a perpetual collision course. From the very beginning God said, “Here you must stop and leave the rest to Me.” Adam and Eve chose not to. It ended badly. The Hebrew children in the wilderness were given the Law. Not because God was high on His own authority, but because He knew the big picture. You can only get so far on your own vision, but God’s plan will take you clear into eternity.  It’s worth giving up your autonomy!

Soccer arenas don’t empty because someone dared to draw a line to define the perimeters of fair play. The Rooney’s don’t stay home because white and yellow lines are oppressive. But, the heart of man says God’s ways are too restrictive and they respond with rebellion. It makes no sense in comparison to every other action in our lives.

Blessed is the one who always trembles before God, but whoever hardens their heart falls into trouble.                                                                                                                                      Proverbs 28:14

Give up the sass, buckle in and slap a smile on your face, because the ride is going to be awesome and yes, the incredible destination is what it’s all about!

Heaven Bound,

Gretchen

As He approached Jerusalem and saw the city, He wept over it and said, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace-but now it is hidden from your eyes.” Luke 19:41-42 ( Matthew 21:1-17, Mark 11:1-11, Luke 19:41-44, John 12:12-36)

There is no feast in all of Jewish history with more importance than Passover. It is the commemoration of the Exodus from Egypt, the final plague when every Jewish household covered their door with the blood of a pascal lamb and the angel of death spared their home by ‘passing by,’ because they were covered by the blood. What an appropriate time for Jesus to make His way to Jerusalem one last time. He knew His day was approaching, the culmination of His work on earth, but it was a season of dread and sorrow.

To fulfill Zechariah’s prophecy in 9:9, Jesus sent His disciples to get a young donkey, an unbroken colt. He would enter the City of David in peace, not as a warrior on a valiant steed. The cheering crowds gathered and laid their clothing and palm branches along the route to cut down on the dust. They, along with Jesus’ disciples praised Him to a deafening roar that made the Pharisees complain. Jesus responded that quiet lips would only make the rocks cry out. These people believed Jesus was finally going to build His Kingdom and free them from oppression for all time. It was their day and they were thrilled. In a few short hours their ideas of a victorious kingdom would conflict painfully with God’s plan and things would get ugly in a hurry.

When Jesus came out of the grove of olives, He saw the vista, the panorama of Jerusalem and wept. His heart ached for the hope of what could have been. It wasn’t one hour, one choice, to give His life for ours, it was days and days and days. Still, He spoke and acted in love, preparing those whose faith would be bent to breaking, knowing many of the voices singing praises on this day would turn to brutal hatred, spitting and cursing. It didn’t matter……IT DIDN’T MATTER!  His hope for what could have been became our hope of what can be! Salvation and freedom from sin!

Happy Weekend,

Gretchen

But Jesus called the children to Him and said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the Kingdom of God belongs to such a these.” Luke 18:16 (Matthew 19:3-30, 20:17-23, Mark 10:2-40, Luke 18:15-19:27, John 12:9-11)

In January before Pentecost that spring, Jesus begins His final journey to Jerusalem. There is a new urgency in His actions. Everything He has done so far is done once again, for His disciples have become caught up in personal glory. They do not understand the difference between a Spiritual Kingdom and one of this earth. Jesus’ lessons on humility and service intensify. In the midst of all this, Mary, Lazarus’ sister seems to get it! She comes with valuable perfume and anoints Jesus’ feet.

As Jesus traveled from town to town on His way to the cross, He heals the blind, cuddles babies, and reminds His followers of the burdens they must bear on His behalf. In His last parable to the public He teaches of final accountability with rewards and punishments that can’t be undone. Then there were three men, a rich young ruler, a Pharisee and a publican. The Pharisee attempted to corner Jesus with a subtle conflict between Jesus’ words and Moses’ law regarding divorce. There was no clash of truth. God’s plan is one woman and one man for a life time. When man’s heart hardens as he declares free-will, all is not lost because Grace and Mercy abound. The rich young ruler spent his lifetime willing to keep God’s law. He clearly knew who Jesus was and Jesus was pleased, but when told to sacrifice the things of this world for all that is eternal, the young man turned and walked away, longing for a Savior on his own terms rather than Heaven’s. Finally, a little man planned to arrive early and climb a tree, just for a glimpse to the One who set the captive free. As Jesus passed by He called for Zachaeus to come down and dine.  Zachaeus, a despised collaborator with the Romans, was moved so profoundly he voluntarily submitted to give half of his wealth to the poor and repay everyone he had cheated four times over.

Heaven will be populated by those with a childlike faith and humility. There will be no pomposity in God’s presence. Only the teachable, trustful, unsophisticated, loving and free from pride believers will be welcomed to Jesus’ side. The state of man’s heart and priorities, not money, was the issue in the examples these scripture give. A divided heart is a distracted heart, which is a vulnerable and impossible way to live. God must come first in all things so we are available to receive the very best Heaven has to give.

Love,

Gretchen

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in Me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in Me will never die. Do you believe this?” John 11:25-26 (John 11)

There was a family of three, a brother and two sisters, who were very, dear friends of Jesus, Lazarus, Mary and Martha. Mary once poured valuable oil on Jesus’ feet and dried it with her hair. Jesus and His disciples received word Lazarus was ill, but they delayed in going to Bethany. There were multiple death threats against Jesus, but two days later He decided it was time to go, although the twelve reminded Him of the dangers of traveling, He went anyway. Thomas, the doubter, led the disciples by commenting, “If He dies, I’ll die too.” (What a great testimony of love and commitment.)

Lazarus died, leaving his sisters grief stricken. Just like today, friends gathered to comfort and help in anyway they could. When Jesus arrived Martha goes to meet Him and declares her faith. Jesus tells her death did not have the last word. She misunderstands, thinking He speaks of the Resurrection of souls. Jesus tenderly tells her, “I am the Resurrection and THE Life.” Wait no longer! She then returns to tell Mary, who runs to His side and bows at His feet again. She is distraught and Jesus weeps. Then! He goes to the tomb and rescues His friend from the grip of death.

Upon on hearing of Jesus’ latest miracle, the Sanhedrin decided Jesus had to go! Jesus knew His time was drawing near, (less than a month now) so He returned to the village of Ephraim and cloistered Himself with His closest followers.

The story of Jesus sharing emotionally in Mary and Martha’s heartache is one of the most beautiful in the Bible, but all who witnessed it play out misunderstood or misinterpreted Jesus’ actions, until a decaying corpse walked whole and hardy from the grave. Soon it would be Jesus lying lifeless in a cold, dark cave, but death, the final enemy, was already defeated.

While Jesus walked on earth He encounter people time and time again, looking for the very thing that stood before them. He explained, stop seeking, you have found Me, I am here. Like faithful Mary, we too let worry, fear, sorrow and anxiety hide the presence of Jesus. Our eternal life is today and we are called to LIVE, “On earth as it is in Heaven!”

Love,

Gretchen

Once, having been asked by the Pharisees when the Kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, “The Kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation, nor will people say, ‘Here it is, or There it is’  because the Kingdom of God is within you.” Luke 17:20 (Luke 15, 16.17:20-37, 18:1-14, 20:1-20)

Following Jesus’ harsh lessons on arrogance, self-interest, and absence of compassion and love, He turns to parables, the lost sheep, the lost coin and the prodigal son, to illustrate how much He loves to forgive. In another story he commends a dishonest manager for his shrewd business dealings. While this seems to conflict with integrity it is a word picture that recognizes we need money to exist, but it must not be our god and we should always praise to One who provides everything. Jesus tells of the crippled servant that went to Heaven and his rich master begged him to dip his finger in water and touch his tongue because hell was agonizing. Jesus states, there will come a time when all choices are final. Finally, pray with bold persistence for God hears and will answer, just as He did for the widow.

If Jesus had a hobby, it would be forgiveness. No matter how much we fail, His Mercy and Grace are boundless and more than sufficient for cover our sin, heal our soul and meet our need. There is room enough for a sermon in every verse listed above, but I will spare you. However! I encourage you, when you feel worthless, defeated or lost in an overwhelming world, read any of the above parables and find just how valuable you really are.  Jesus told these stories for us to hear and place in our hearts, where His scripture says, The Kingdom of God already is.

Happy Mid Week,

Gretchen

He replied, “Go tell that fox, ‘I will keep on driving out demons and healing people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach my goal.’ Luke 13:32 (Luke 13:23-14:35

Jesus went into a Perean province ruled by the debauched ruler Herod Anitpas, who earlier ordered the beheading of John the Baptist. Herod was presently concerned about a public uprising as Jesus came healing and performing all manner of miracles, but Jesus has no fear of Herod as His time will come in Jerusalem.

While dining at the home of a Pharisee on the Sabbath, Jesus makes several observations and used the event to teach truths. A man with a painful disease asks for healing. Jesus first asks those who are sitting before an opulent feast, if it was lawful to heal this ailing man. They remained silent so Jesus continued. He inquired of their action if it was their child or their valuable ox stuck in a ditch. Would they act according to their law, or respond in love, compassion and meet the need? Jesus restored the man’s health and sent him on his way.

As the meal progressed Jesus used the typical behavior of the religious rulers to make several points. As each person sat according to their social status, Jesus reminded them there is no gain in self-seeking assertiveness. Humility and meekness bring Glory to God. There is no honor in giving generously to those who can reciprocate, but in ministering to those who have no hope of ever repaying, you please God and blessings await in eternity.

Across the Jordan River Jesus went to spread the good news. There was a hostile government wishing Him dead, but a lost world was crying out. There were many who sought to enter the Kingdom by means other than Jesus. There will be a day of judgement when they will know they were sadly mistaken. The Pharisees ached for Jesus to come to their way of thinking and see the Law as they did, from their perspective, with their agenda. Actually, Jesus did see these things…..and knew they were wrong. Through instruction and action He showed them a better way. They just didn’t want it, so they stewed and brewed and plotted His death. They unknowingly signed their own death sentence.

There is only one way through the narrow door to Heaven and the first step is confessing that Jesus is the Christ and He died for you. Don’t let a wide load of stubborn assumptions and personal agendas keep you from entering through this door, because there is no other.

Love,

Gretchen

“But if I do them, even though you do not believe Me, believe the works that you may know and understand that the Father is in Me, and I in the Father.” John 10:38 (John 10:22-42)

In 168 B.C. during the Greek Empire, Antiochus Epiphanes profaned and desecrated the Temple with Hellenic gods and made it a crime to observe Jewish customs. A revolt led by Judas Maccabaeus was successful, but the Temple was in very rough shape. Four years later it was ready for rededication. In Jesus’ time, and still today, Jews celebrate this minor holiday called The Festival of Dedication, better known as Hanukkah, in honor of the relighting of the Temple lamps representing God’s presence.

In this episode, occurring in the winter before the crucifixion, Jesus is accused and nearly stoned for blasphemy.  Blasphemy is the act of claiming to be or acting as though you are God. This IS a very offensive act. Consider the many ways man promotes himself as God. Telling lies and demanding others act upon the rewrite of reality, thus assuming God’s sole authority, is risky business? Judging others and acts of oppression are more invasions of places only God has the right to go. This is a serious matter. It was when Jesus walked the earth and it is today in a world of confusing messages. It was not uncommon for religious leaders to question Jesus. They guarded the sanctity of God carefully, even if they did become painfully legalistic.

While Jesus was in the Temple celebrating, many gathered around and again asked Him to clarify who He was. Jesus rested His authority on God, with whom He is One, but presented His acts of love as evidence of His deity. The people CHOSE to remain in suspense. At this moment they made the conscious decision to ignore who Jesus was, becoming violent in their frustration. Jesus escaped and returned to the place of John’s baptisms. There, many listen follow, and come to believe.

While there is every reason to believe, many will refuse. We don’t come into faith by accident and we don’t remain an unbeliever passively either. Press on in light and truth and let God do the rest. 

Happy Monday,

Gretchen

“Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the Kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ “

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”

Matthew 25:34-36, 40

On Tuesday morning, Keith and I left central Arkansas and headed to the East Coast with our daughter Melissa’s car. She took a dream job in New London, New Hampshire for the summer and flew out a few weeks ago. The journey was 1,600 miles one way, but hey! We love the wind in our hair and the road before us. However, we watched from afar as our home state, Arkansas, suffered historic and catastrophic flooding along the Arkansas River. When we awoke in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada, and saw their local news reporting on the Holly Bend Levy failure, we knew it was more than staggering. 

Thoughts and imaginings drifted to the long haul of this natural disaster. There won’t be a recovery, but rather, a continuing forward with a new normal no one really wants. My home is on high, dry ground. I haven’t lost anything, so what must I do to help those in loss? Here’s my plan, maybe you’d like to join me.

1. Go light on lip service and heavy on man power. It takes more little Indians than big chiefs to rebuild a village.
2. Shut mouth and shovel mud! Resist complaining about leadership or politics.
3. Anger and desperation will be rampant. Be gracious and kind.
4. Be invisible. If they don’t see me, they will give God the Glory.
5. Support organizations who specialize in disaster relief.

Any time, any day, alone, in a group, every day or every once in a while, God will direct and I must go. I know He will send others too. I look forward to seeing you there.

Love,

Gretchen

P.S. A huge thank you to my sister Gayle Elizabeth Paladino for helping Keith and I get two vehicles to New Hampshire so we would have a ride home. We’ve been in a car for 3,200+ miles, (in Canada they were kilometers, but who’s counting) and I am better and stronger for having laughed so much. You lightened our load and brightened our journey. Love you!