Category: Uncategorized

Indeed, He who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. Psalm 121:4

Eight beautiful verses. Enjoy them all! It’s a pep talk so get ready to rally! If God’s ancient people sang praise choruses, this Psalm would be in the worship rotation.

People would come from all over Israel to Jerusalem for festivals and feasts, a time of celebration and worship of the One True God who led and sustained them. They traveled by foot. The writer observed they walked, with their heads down, watching for obstacles along the road. Doesn’t everyone?

Those pilgrims of long ago were traveling to the city of hope to join family and friends and remember the God who delivered them out of bondage. The God of ages past was faithful to His covenant people. Yet, these people did not always live as though they believed God would remain the same. Would He change and suddenly not care for them anymore? Would their faith become futile? No! The LORD will watch over you forever more, so get your head up and rejoice.

Love,

Gretchen

Smog in my Coffee

My life, Monday through Friday, involves a sunrise, a panoramic view of each new day’s beginning. It’s nothing glamorous or earth shaking, I drive a school bus, so with a little diesel, a few sleepy hellos mixed with beautiful little souls that ‘do mornings’, I set off to start each day.

Many years ago my science teacher led his class of curious young scholars to discover that oxygen was not air, oxygen was in the air along with many substances, but not everything we draw into our lungs is oxygen. This knowledgable gentleman added that it was the molecules of other airborne substances in earth’s atmosphere that made day break and dusk so colorful. With some help from the class clown/smart aleck and my own ability to reason, I discerned that it was pollution painting the morning sky and the saddest part of this is that I will never see pure sunlight, as I have no interest in space travel. Since this occasion of great scientific revelation I have had a slightly twisted opinion of daybreak. My constant mental question is, “Am I seeing life giving beauty or deadly toxins?” The answer determines my right to gasp in wonder or cringe in fear. Yes, this is my mind behind my every blink.

But….. days ago I was listening to two young boys quietly laugh and giggle. My route turned toward the east. There were wispy clouds on the horizon, geese were taking flight for their annual pilgrimage to warmer climates, various fur babies were about their morning constitutions, the world was breathing, pulsing with life, and all dressed up with treetops silhouetted against a radiant realm of variegated oranges and yellows. A peace overwhelmed me and God’s voice spoke. “Gretchen, it’s time you flip your filter.”

A filter is a purification system, a refining agent that sifts away harmful things leaving something clear and clean. Somewhere along the way, mine got turned around. Every ray of sunshine reminded me of a world full of dirt and decay, destruction and devastation. This is not God’s desire.

I looked at the bugs on the windshield in sadness knowing they were a great distraction to my perspective but I gazed further through the sky. I knew beyond the blue, stars, muted by the sun’s great brilliance, filled deep space and further still there was infinity, a facet of God alone that I cannot fathom, yet in His loving kindness He controls and keeps in perfect balance and in His untarnished judgement all is secure.

Sing to the LORD, you saints of His; praise His Holy name.
For His anger lasts only a moment,
But His favor lasts a lifetime;
Weeping may remain for a night,
But JOY comes in the morning.
Psalm 30:5

It does not matter what is between me and the sun, it is the sun and it determines the continuation of life on earth because God made it so. When He is ready to change things He will. It has occurred to me recently that some of those molecules I worry so much about smell really good, like fresh baked cinnamon rolls or my mother’s perfume. So, I will Praise the Name of Jesus, see beauty rather than filth and worship Him as all creation was designed to do. He does not ask me to save the world, He asks me to love and let Him do The God stuff.

Literally smelling the Roses,

Gretchen

Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place. Ephesians 6:14

Paul wrote Ephesians from house arrest in Rome. Its sermon like message is predominantly concerned with Christian attributes and behavior as well as unity between all who believe in the Resurrected Christ. These words are part of his closing comments imploring the believer to prepare for spiritual warfare with strength of character known as The Full Armor of God.

It is not just temptation of the flesh that will distract and deter the faithful, but opposition of the supernatural type involving the unseen world where the great unknown exists.

Truth and righteousness are not just protection in the defense against evil, they are weapons for the offense, to conquer and declare victory. God does not dwell where sin resides nor will He rewrite truth or endorse untruth to appease mankind. HE IS TRUTH, the One and only TRUTH.

We are powerless but for the boldness we find in the infinite strength and infallibility of God.

Have a blessed weekend,

Gretchen

 

It is good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees. Psalm 119:71

This longest of Psalms, 119 is the most formal and elaborate of all. It is an acrostic with 22 verses. Each verse refers in some way to the Word of God. The Psalmist expresses the great value of God’s Word in sustaining righteous behavior and quality of life.

Afflict, to cause hurt, distress, oppress or plague. This is a good thing? Yes, it is a guiding, disciplining and refining force and through our own strife that we learn to recognize the pain of others. Personal failure develops compassion in those who seek to become like Christ. Loss is a shared experience of all mankind thus, sympathy in place of scorn and judgement can be a universal comfort.

Through wisdom this poet sees that God’s goodness reigns in every moment for those who trust. Affliction is a delicate tool in the hand of He who molds a perfect heart, making it a vessel of His love and grace.

Welcome to FRIDAY!

Gretchen

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

Philippi, a Greek town, named after the father of Alexander the Great, a Roman colony on a major east/west thoroughfare in the heart of gold mining country, was most importantly the place where the first Christian church began. When Paul wrote to this church he was in chains awaiting judgement and probable execution, yet joy and contentment reigned in his heart. He yearned for this same spirit to dwell in the hearts of all.

Paul spoke the message of a Savior that would return and end persecution and abuse, but years went by and the church faced many spiritual obstacles: Persecution, false prophets, factions and infighting, weariness and doubt. Paul encourages these people to remain focused on Christ Jesus and gives perfect direction as to how. Consciously put aside worries about the things God takes care of (all things). Acknowledge your needs to the One that provides. In doing this your burden will lift and peace will descend.

The following verses (8-9) give a perfect directive for the thought patterns of peace and contentment. Whatever is true, noble, lovely, admirable, excellent or praiseworthy, think about these things. You will find what you are looking for.

Happy Thursday,

Gretchen

How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. When I awake I am still with you. Psalm 139:17-18

Two things were vital to my new birth as a child of God. In the fall after my conversion at age twelve, my father preached a series of sermons on Psalm 139 and I absorbed what he spoke like a sponge. I also learned to delve into the character of God and always make this the basis of my faith, not my feelings or current cultural trends.

This Psalm as a whole is a song of praise for the universal presence and infinite knowledge of God. Where ever you are, God is there too, in a very personal way. He knows everything from the molecular structure of the galaxies to the most intimate, secret thoughts of every man that ever breathed.

Nothing in your heart or in your life will ever surprise your Heavenly Father so relax. He looks upon you with love, compassion and understanding. (Don’t interpret understanding as tolerance.) The greatest comfort in the world is that God knows my heart in its most vulnerable, raw form. He will clean it, mold it and make it like His.

God is Good, you can rest your faith on this alone!

Love,

Gretchen

“But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” Luke 14:13-14

Luke, the doctor and missionary that traveled with Paul on his journeys, saw human need from a different perspective. Much of his gospel dealt with Jesus’ miracles of healing the sick and His ministry to the marginalized.

It was the sabbath and Jesus was sharing a meal at the home of a prominent pharisee who had many guests of honor this day. Jesus watched as men maneuvered themselves to boast their social status while they silently cast judgement on His miracles of love bestowed upon the weak and weary. They had no qualms about feasting together on the Sabbath, but Jesus had just healed a man with a crippling inflammation and they were offended that He should labor. They were so proud of themselves, their ‘Holy’ intellect and achievements. Jesus longed for them to know the true gift of generosity, grace and mercy.

Only those things given without expectation of return are true gifts of love. We think of love as the opposite of hate, but it is not, it is the cure, as generosity is the cure for poverty.

In Christ,

Gretchen

P.S. A very special young man, Jace Schluterman, is going for his first ‘1 year’ cancer scans today. Please join me in prayer for a clean bill of health and for his mother to have clarity of thought as she speaks to his medical professionals today. Thank you!

His eyes are like blazing fire, and on His head are many crowns. He has a name written on Him that on one knows but He Himself. Revelation 19:12

The original readers of Revelation were called to stand firm against the power and influence of Rome and its pagan culture. Many Christians were suffering persecution, but some became complacent and avoided attention and discomfort through compromise, a dangerous place to dwell.

The scripture prior to this verse talks of the wedding supper, referencing the church as the Bride of Christ and Jesus’ return as our Groom. But quickly the vision John received turned to a Warrior, a Prince whose victory is certain and whose character, depth and mission are in large part, a mystery to mortal men who cannot fathom all that God is and has planned through His Son Jesus Christ.

John was taken into Heaven, (through his vision) to view the world from God’s perspective. Man’s natural instinct is to place themselves at the center of the universe. To remove ourselves and place God back where He belongs is a choice. If we are to live in the world, but not of it, we must place ourselves at the feet of the One who wears the crowns of victories we don’t even recognize and things we do not understand.

Love,

Gretchen

 

The Story of Us, According to Me

In the fall of 1974 the Joneses moved to central Arkansas and became the pastoral family for Greenbrier Church of the Nazarene. I was in the sixth grade and very sophisticated, so I thought. Our first service was Wednesday night prayer meeting. After the concluding prayer I stood in the church yard with my parents and siblings while lovely folks came by and introduced themselves. I felt something pelting me from behind, turned and found the meanest boy I ever met throwing rock at me. His scolding name is Michael Keith Rooney. We were twelve and he was outrageous!

The years that followed found Keith and I side by side at church youth activities and other normal things young people do. We had a shared friend group but we were total opposites. Keith loved athletics, loud music and even louder exhaust systems on his vehicles. I loved the city, elegance, fashion and classical music. One evening while at church camp, my friends and I were sitting quietly in the open air worship area. Keith and his friends, followed by a covey of giggly girls joined us. Moments later I once again felt a flying object hit me. This time it was an arachnid, of the granddaddy variety. The ensuing vocal vibration was not elegant or sophisticated.

It is still very unclear to me how Keith and I ended up dating my junior year of college. Keith transferred from a local state school to the private college I was attending and became an immediate campus hit. He had a vivacious personality and the knack for being very comfortable in his own skin. He accessorized his life with the world’s coolest truck, a 1971 GMC short-bed, butterscotch and white pick-up and Big Smith overalls. My plans included a penthouse apartment in Manhattan, so Keith didn’t fit the profile of my perfect fellow, but at every turn, he was there. One weekend we decided we were in love and married the next winter.The rest is history, but not the happily ever after kind.

Life became all-american normal, except it wasn’t. We were horrible at marriage! Keith and I knew nothing of building each other up and making each other strong, much less loving as Christ loved the church. We were raised right, but we committed wrong after wrong. So two children and fifteen years in, we found ourselves unable to stomach the idea of another minute in each other’s presence and we, together, broke our home in two, and yes, we broke our daughter’s hearts.

Complete and total failure is what I found in the mirror each day. The reality; I was now a sad statistic, would never celebrate marital milestones and might very likely walk the rest of my life alone.

And then……..Jesus showed up! Days short of our first court date Keith and I realized that together we had everything and apart we had very little of value. There is no great theology to our reconciliation except, Love One Another because Jesus first loved us! We learned to apply this first and foremost to family, the very place it is often the hardest.

How did we forgive and move forward? It isn’t easy and it remains something Mr. and Mrs. Rooney must do often, but we deliberately and intensionally lay our burdens of heartbreak and disappointment at the foot of the cross. Then…..we face the Son and we walk straight toward the Throne of God.

Today, Keith and I climb mountains, chase sunsets, bask in the warmth of our children’s happiness, dig our fingers into the coats of our fur babies and spread the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Love you all and thank you for the blessings you bring to us!

Gretchen

 

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9

Moses has died. He led the children of Israel 40 years in the desert but was denied entrance into the promised land as the consequence of an angry outburst of disobedience to God. Joshua was Moses’ attendant throughout these years. He was with him on the Mount of God and was one of the twelve spies. He was faithful and obedient and now he was charged with the gigantic task of leading the covenant nation into the Promised Land and governing them as they began to take their permanent place in the world.

In the passage prior to verse nine God says many times, “Be strong and courageous.” This is the final time and God adds “Do not be terrified or discouraged.”

Blessings were about to multiply, but God’s people couldn’t see the future, only the immediate and in living color things looked grim. They acted accordingly. We have hind-sight to their story so we shake our heads at their resistance because we see that God did exactly as He said He would do. We do NOT have hind-sight to our own story so we are vulnerable to terror and discouragement too. But just as God commanded Joshua on His journey, He commands us. Faithfulness demands courage and strength.

The exact same God that created and stood by these great men of faith, is the same God that created and stands next to you.  That’s pretty awesome so stand tall, be brave, change the world!

Feeling Big on the Inside,

Gretchen