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“Make level paths for your feet,’ so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed. Hebrews 12:13

Keep your eyes on Jesus.  The newly established church began with the roaring fire of the Holy Spirit, but immediately met with horrific persecution that became culturally acceptable and even desired among pagans and Jews alike. The going was tough for those that believed and awaited eternal peace. The goal was more than worth it and there was an assurance in knowing Jesus himself had already made the journey successfully.

Part of paving a level path is remembering your blessings.  Return to those praises and let them carry you through today’s sorrows or struggles. Today’s disciplines and defeats do NOT invalidate yesterday’s victories.  Discipline is a season of strengthening. It is not the definition of who we are, but what we will be. Respond with gratitude and move forward wiser and with righteousness.

Finally, this verse likens each of us to the lame. Choosing an appropriate path is our free choice and responsibility. A level path will result in correct and perfect progress forward!

Love,

Gretchen

When the Philistines heard that Israel had assembled at Mizpah, the rulers of the Philistines came up to attack them. When the Israelites heard of it, they were afraid because of the Philistines. I Samuel 7:7

The Philistines were a world power when Samuel became prophet and priest. They had at one time captured the Ark of the Covenant, hoping it would bring them further imperial greatness, but unrightfully possessing this symbol of God’s presence among His people brought the LORD’s judgement and devastation so they returned it to Israel.

During Samuel’s time as judge, Israel has a revival, a real time of repentance and cleansing, then a threat comes, a challenge to security. God uses this opportunity to show Israel what He will do for those whose hope and faith is in Him alone.  Through worship, fasting and prayer, Israel defeats the Philistines.

The Philistines mistook a box as the source of power for the Hebrew people.  The Hebrew children mistook numbers for might. In verse 12 the term Ebenezer is used to name the place with an altar, a monument to God’s covenant love for His people and their reversal of fortune through obedience. Ebenezer means, “Stone of Help,” and didn’t mark a covenant made, but a covenant kept. 

                       

God alone is protection and provision. He alone is judge and He alone will settle matters of threat and justice. We can live in peace and rest because literally……God’s got this, whatever ‘this’ is.

Love,

Gretchen

Early the next morning Jacob took the stone he had placed under his head and set it up as a pillar and poured oil on top of it. Genesis 28:18

This is one of my favorite stories in the Bible.  Up until this moment Jacob had relied on the God of Abraham and Isaac, his grandfather and father, to provide him with what he was ‘entitled’ plus a little more.  On this night, exiled for his behavior, under the stars and unsure of his future, Jacob finds himself as alone as anyone can be, and then, the One True God reveals Himself and becomes the God of Jacob’s own heart.

While sleeping with this stone for a pillow, Jacob dreams of a stairway connecting Heaven to earth.  God appears and transfers His covenant from Esau, the first born, to Jacob.  This rock, a symbol of permanence, became an alter of worship and Jacob became Heaven’s vehicle of continued promises and blessing. 

We often repeat what we know of God as it pertains to other people. This is an important step in developing correct understanding of His character and love, but someday it will just be you and God, and then He will become YOUR One True God. At this point, you will have everything your heart ever desired, especially peace and life ever lasting.

Love,

Gretchen

When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him. He shouted at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In God’s name don’t torture me!” Mark 5:6-7

A fragmented personality at the mercy of a thousand different impulses was this man’s dysfunction and isolation, the result of an impure spirit. Along comes a Man with all the authority of Heaven and the demon bows. He knows who he has encountered, while looking for a place to run for, he pleads for his existence. 

The demon looks around and the best option he can deduce it to live in a swine’s body and mind. (Add a little sarcasm for emphasis). However, his ending was in sight anyway as wild animals do not fall under the spell of a demon’s chaos. They did what they do best, they went wild and ran nonstop to their death, thus sending the demon to his final expulsion anyway.

Pigs running into a lake must have given this healed man great assurance that his tormentors were gone forever. When you are overwhelmed with the things of this life, remember who’s boss! It’s not the one who’s minion chose a sty for a forever home.

Love,

Gretchen

But Samuel replied, “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams. I Samuel 15:22

Samuel was a prophet and priest to the covenant nation of Israel, a Theocracy. The world was a predatory place and to survive, a nation needed a strong presence, so God accommodated Himself to human ways and allowed this nation to have a king with the instruction to remember God.

Saul became Israel’s first king.  He celebrated some resounding military victories early on, but soon became self-important and prideful. Then out of pettiness he ordered his army to abstain from food and issued a death sentence on his own son. Finally, he took the role of priest and offered a half-hearted sacrifice. This act of deliberate disrespect for all God’s laws, was a complete offense and God withdrew His blessing.

By the time Samuel found Saul acting as priest by sacrificing, it was too late, but he speaks profound words to Saul in his grief at the failure of his beloved nation’s king, “God wants to reign in our heart. Where our heart goes, our bodies and our actions will follow.” (Gretchen’s paraphrase) 

Yes, there are things we do out of practice and tradition that reflect the God we love and serve, but if our heart isn’t connected, it means nothing and is in vain. 

Love,

Gretchen

In honor of Father’s Day, I thought I would share a story of a cold, dark night.  There was game board, a dad and his young children.

One Christmas when my older brother and I were in elementary school we were given a Monopoly game, so during the holiday break my family gathered around the dining table, broke the cellophane seal, read the rules, chose our tokens, distributed money and began traveling through a make believe world of high finance.  I went broke very early in the night.  You can look in my closet and discern that my desire for shoes and accessories in every shape and color takes precedence over any hunger I might have developed for fiscal awareness or financial prowess. But late into the night, big brother Greg and my dad were still going, accumulating real estate and banking rental income.  Sometime in the wee hours of the morning a victor was declared. Greg had to file bankruptcy and concede to dad’s more mature skill and wisdom. The legends of Jones Christmases tell that Greg cried, mom scowled the look of shame on my father and my father debated with himself as to the wisdom of annihilating his young son in a simple game of make believe success.

Each time the family comes together for any event or holiday, the story of the Monopoly debacle resurrects. At a certain stage in my parenthood I realized that dad didn’t particularly appreciate our musings.  Soon enough, my children were young adults and they too retold stories of their childhoods I thought long dead.  Then I grew old enough to revisit my decisions and motivations and came to terms with the fact that I wasn’t perfect but my children survived and are thriving, amazing people.

I am recounting this story today to say, “I’m a grown up now and I know how important it was to learn some things that needed to be taught at home.”

First, failure can occur in the securest of surroundings. Defeat is not fatal. It is a stepping stone to greater strength and knowledge.

Second, Grace and Mercy are gifts, a win is something earned. Know the difference.

Third, somethings need to die of natural causes, but just won’t. Let it GO!

Next, sometimes your heart is broken. Cry it out. Give others the right to their tears without questions or judgement.  A good cry heals many ills.

Finally, nothing good comes of petty behavior.  Be nice! Families see the worst of each other, but they should aspire to find and promote the genius each person holds.

No matter what version of this family legend is told, I know the real story. Bryan is the father of four pretty cool people and Greg is the father of two amazing, free thinking, adventurous young women. The evidence points to the fact that they are incredible dads.

The memories of my childhood become more poignant with every remembrance, for there was sunshine and laughter that emboldened my siblings and I to chase our dreams and we’ve found it’s true……..Love never fails. I Corinthians 13:8a.

Happy Father’s Day dad, and as always, thanks…….for everything!

Love,

Gretchen

“Do not stop him, Jesus said, “For no one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, for whoever is not against us is for us.” Mark 9:39

John is rebuked three times in this passage of scripture and it all comes down to the order of authority, one over another.  “Who is the greatest?” Jesus is rewriting cultural norms into Christ’s Follower’s Norms. To be first, means to be last.  There has been no social model of this behavior, especially among self-serving and corrupt synagogue leadership.

John’s early thinking assumed only those closest disciples would have power to heal and cast out demons because they were chosen and knew Jesus face to face, breath to breath.

Jesus’ words are in the manner of discipline. The world was small and primitive and Jesus is aware His time on earth was ending soon.  He had to model and teach the gravity of love and compassion and John had to learn that Jesus was much bigger than a few moments in time.

It only takes a blink to become so wrapped up in our current crisis that we become the center of the universe.  All roads lead to and away from us.  John had this instant too, but he discovered, it isn’t who has the right to be the body of Christ, it matters that someone is!  Be that someone.

Happy Weekend,

Gretchen

He took a little child who He placed among them. Taking the child in His arms, He said to them, “Whoever, welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes Me does not welcome Me but the One who sent Me.” Mark 9:36-37

Jesus is nearing His crucifixion. He now turns from ministering to the masses to explicitly preparing His disciples for the near future.  They had no clue, and at this time the prophecies were not yet connecting to the present.  John becomes very concerned with the order of authority among those who believe.  He has a mind for business, leadership and organization. Such things were not evidence of his self absorption, but a need to prepare in the only way he knows how, the get people put in their proper places and commence with a plan.  Jesus has a better way.

Jesus is a master craftsman of men.  We were created in God’s image and when the incarnate Creator came to dwell among us He set to work returning us to His likeness. The least, the marginalized, those with compromised voices, were a priority to Jesus. Mistreat them, He feels it first person. John and the others in Jesus’ presence had to get this right because it is fundamental to understanding the future of Kingdom Building.

It is the life cycle of love. Love the least of all, love Jesus…… Love Jesus, love God…… Love God love all……….

Love,

Gretchen

The Queen of the South will rise at the judgement with this generation and condemn it; for she came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon’s wisdom, and now something greater than Solomon is here. Matthew 12:42

These are the words of Jesus. He claims a unique relationship to God, but despite His miracles, goodness and love, He is met with suspicion by the very people who should recognize Him.  Old Testament prophesy and law, point directly to Jesus’ coming, yet these things of order have been upset to quench man’s appetite for power over one another. The pharisees had just accused Jesus of doing the work of Beelzebub. Now they ask for a sign that will validate His claim to who He is. The only sign that will be given is His resurrection from the dead after three days in the grave.

Jesus contrasts this hard headed, hard hearted generation with The Queen of Sheba, (I Kings 10:1-10 coming from the South Arabian Kingdom of Saba,) who heard of Solomon’s wisdom and splendor and traveled from modern day Yemen seeking truth, bringing gifts and offerings.

Jesus does not act to prove, validate or vindicate Himself.  He IS compassion, grace and mercy.  When we seek Him, we find Him just as He IS, the Way, the Truth and the Life.   

Blessings,

Gretchen

“If you can?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.”  Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” Mark 9:23-24

The disciples encountered an evil spirit they could not drive out.  A child was plagued by fits that robbed him of self-control and speech. His father brought him to the disciples but nothing changed amidst their actions. It seemed as if all was lost, until…….Jesus showed up.

The boy’s father used the phrase, “If you can.” Jesus’ response was NOT, “Of course I can, I am the Son of God.” Instead, He taught. It is not just His power, but man’s state of determined faith.  The father pled, “Help me overcome my unbelief!” And Jesus did.

Have you ever thought that all hope was gone?  The mess was to deep, the chaos too overwhelming, the inevitable set in stone? Well, you would be wrong.  Pray. When you are tired and think God is deaf, He is not. Fast and pray and don’t forget to include your request for a little more faith than you had before. Then get ready for the miracles.

Love,

Gretchen