Month: November 2022

Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Psalm 32:1 

We are Blessed! Eternal life has already begun for those whose sins are forgiven. Remember, Jesus died so we didn’t have to!!! 

Have a great Day 

Love, 

Gretchen

Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own. 1 Corinthians 6:19

Corinth was a bustling metropolis, one of the top five busiest towns of the Roman empire at the time of Paul’s missionary trip there. Located between the Aegean and Adriatic seas with ports on each, Corinth was the crossroad of a diverse world. These people lived with gusto, they were on the move, pagan worship was the order of the day, they understood the significance and reverence of a temple.

Paul had been preaching a gospel of love rather than law. His listeners were converted gentiles with very little knowledge of God much less Holy living. ‘Anything goes’ was the extent of their ethical and moral teaching. So Paul explains, there is a tremendous difference between being free to do anything and having anything make free with you. Where is the balance between privilege and detriment?

God’s design for your life is beautiful and uncomplicated. Satan certainly wants to clutter things up with emotional, spiritual and physical baggage. However, God saves, sanctifies and makes Holy your body and soul, thus creating a perfect dwelling place, a temple, for His Spirit.

Holiness is simply the absence of sin. God won’t, can’t dwell with sin as a housemate. If you long to live Holy then you are not your own. Let God’s Holiness fill the spaces of your life so completely that there is no room for anything but His precious, powerful Spirit.

Love,

Gretchen

Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believer in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. I Timothy 4:12

The authority is in the Message, not the messenger. Verse 11 says, “Command and teach these things,” referring to the prior verse, “We have put our hope in the Living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially those who believe.”

Most people say, “I will help if someone else will take charge.” Leading is a difficult position whether you’re speaking of a flock of geese flying south, or the women’s auxiliary organizing a bazaar. Leaders are vulnerable to criticism and other’s willingness to follow. A great leader sets their eye on the goal, is confident in their mission and plan of action, then marches on undistracted. Age may grow a thicker skin and perseverance through practice, but age does NOT determine the message.

Do not let any excuse mute your voice. Live to the standard set before you: Holiness in speech, conduct, love, faith and all purity and then go boldly where others fear to tread.

Love from a not so youthful,

Gretchen

Then from Heaven Your dwelling place, hear their prayer and their plea, and uphold their case. I Kings 8:49

As part of the dedication of the Jerusalem Temple, the first permanent House of Worship to the One True God, Solomon spoke these words. The request is very simple: Let this physical building be a symbol of Your long enduring patience with a human race that can’t seem to keep their eyes and hearts on You alone.

I am a steeple watcher. I was fortunate to travel to Europe several years ago. The trip involved touring many cathedrals and basilicas. Their magnificent size and beauty was indeed breath taking. Every town, even the smallest, had a chapel at its center with sky scraping spires drawing the weary toward hope. So why did these walls cast a shadow on a lost world?

In America we have churches on every corner, in every shape and size, easily accessible to everyone. Yet, the world doesn’t come. That’s okay, because the building isn’t the sum of what God can or will do. You’ll find that, the sum, in the glorious cross atop those ornate pinnacles, the spires drawing you toward the One True God.

Raise your face to the Son/sun today and you’ll probably see a steeple or two. Let each one you pass remind you that God still choses to dwell among us, hearing our plea and upholding our case. Oh! What a wonderful promise.

Love,

Gretchen

For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the Kingdom of the Son He loves. Colossians 1:13

As the salutation/introduction part of Paul’s letter to the church of Colosse, these words are part of an encouragement and praise to the faith of these baby Christians gathering to worship and grow.

It isn’t the dark that intimidates, it’s what’s IN the dark that gives pause. In the inky gloom of night, shadows take on a life of their own, accents become obstacles. There is no surety in stepping forward or remaining still. Darkness is horrible. Satan dwells there with confusion, injustice and sorrow, the laws of his dominion.

God has made a way to His Kingdom of light, His Son, the Christ, Jesus. God’s love is so radiant that the light He casts dissolves all shadows (even those under your feet).

Don’t give up! You’re not alone. God is at work and you will make it!

Love,

Gretchen

So I commend the enjoyment of life, because there is nothing better for people under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad. Then joy will accompany them in their toil all the days of the life God has given them under the sun. Ecclesiastes 8:1

If you ask a certain blogger’s father, “How many guitars do you need to be happy?” His answer is, “One more.” Such is life. We all work really hard to obtain ‘Just One More.’ But those earthly instruments will someday turn to dust and the man that drew music and joy from them will be pickin’ and grinnin’ in the Angel Band. Seeking fame and fortune is vain.

The writer of Ecclesiastes, a book of wisdom, is encouraging us to seek a life of joy found in our relationships, not possessions. I won’t remember how many instruments dad collected, I will remember our times together making music, refinishing furniture, roofing houses, talking theology and philosophy………it is the relationship that strengthened and empowered me to face life’s trials, not the things he owns.

God made us a social race. We need each other. He ordained the good things that life brings. Yes we have to work to sustain ourselves but our jobs take us into relationships that give depth and color to our existence. We do not have to creep through days worrying there is a sin behind every blessing. There is not. Hold close the people in your world and cherish the moments you have been given.

Makin’ Memories,

Gretchen