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If you remain in me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. John 15:7

Spoken in the hours just prior to His death, Jesus reaches out to his beloved friends with an analogy from the vineyard. A branch must have a vine and a vine must have a gardener. Together rich, healthy, life sustaining fruit is produced.

We cannot survive the toils and temptations of this world disconnected from our source of life. Wood that is cut away from it’s energy source begins a process of decay. A tree is a living thing, a 2×4 is not. Jesus is the Word of God, alive and well in the power of the Holy Spirit. We must abide in Him, and He must be invited to a permanent residence in us.

The universe is ours when we are one with the Father. Asking is just the act of acknowledging that which we already have because it isn’t about what we get, it’s about who we are, and we are fruit: Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Have an amazing day,

Gretchen

I will rejoice in doing them good and will assuredly plant them in this land with all my heart and soul. Jeremiah 32:41

The children of Israel have once again fallen into calamity. Their disobedience and worship of Baal has brought them to the point of extinction. Then God, never changing and always faithful, gives the promise of restoration and prosperity.

As you follow Jeremiah’s narrative, his prophesies have immediate interpretation to the exiled children of Israel, but also God’s greater plan of a Messiah/Sacrifice that will bring a new covenant making man’s heart an intimate place of fellowship with God.

The precious character of a generous loving God is very often lost in our fallible tendency to impose human limitations onto our understanding of God’s character. God is the absolute definition of perfect love. He is generous, kind and long suffering. He does not keep score of our sins, He is doing everything short of repossessing our freewill, to save us from ourselves. He rejoices in the good He can do for those that follow, trust and obey.

Where man is stingy, God’s supply has no boundary. Where man holds a grudge to settle a score, God is long suffering, forgiving and purposefully forgetful of our transgressions. He delights in good, His and yours!

Have a lovely day,

Gretchen

Then those who feared the LORD talked with each other and the LORD listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in His presence concerning those who feared the LORD and honored His name. Malachi 3:16

Malachi’s audience is a disillusioned, discouraged people. They have heard the words of other prophets, the promise of prosperity, a Messianic King, restoration and justice. As hope waned these people became very casual in their worship and totally neglectful of the life of Holiness to which they were called.

The prophecy of Malachi is a reminder that the believer must live in the light and certainty of God’s Sovereign power and absolute authority. He is worthy of an unquestioning faithfulness that permeates into person to person relationships.

God never changes……and neither does man. Where their is human failure, there is Devine Redemption and Restoration! God always hears our prayers and He is at work, even when we don’t feel it, or see it. Align yourself with your faithful brothers and sisters. Be their strength and let them be yours. God will reveal Himself in a most beautiful way.

Gretchen

And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever. Revelation 20:10

Sin is serious business, its consequences far reaching. Satan, disguised as beautiful, is the great deceiver, able to make sin look like all our dreams come true. The deadly reality is, sin separates it’s victim from love and grace and then goes in for the kill like a blood thirsty animal.

The good news is this: God is in firm and total control of satan’s destiny. There will come a day of verdict, life or death. Final justice will be served! Satan and all who align themselves with his evil will remain eternally in the equivalent of an oozing volcano. Don’t be that person!

We have all been hurt by sin’s curse and hurt others with our transgressions. Recognize your sin, repent and then forgive others. This is the means to victory. We can thrive in it today, on earth as it is in Heaven.

Living Victoriously!

Gretchen

Today’s guest author gave me a most valuable gift, straight talk, when we were very young. Her honesty and faith, perseverance and resilience have been my life’s greatest inspiration. I hope you enjoy this excerpt from the exceptional life of Gayle Paladino, my sister, my friend.

Miracles on DARK DAYS

I’d like to start by listing a few of the many blessings God has generously showered on me at this point in my life.  I have two amazing sons who are healthy, and performing beautifully at the things that are expected from young men of their ages.  I have a wonderful job that is as secure as can be expected in today’s corporate climate.  I live in a lovely home that I’ve been able to furnish in such a way that it is the outward expression of my heart and soul.  I have a wonderful man in my life who loves me, challenges my intellect, and encourages me to be the best me possible.  AND, I am surrounded by a truly amazing group of family and friends who accept me for who I am and who I strive to be.  I praise my gentle, caring Father in Heaven for these gifts…and for the gift of the journey that brought me here.  This story is an excerpt from that journey.  My sons and I refer to this time in my life as “The DARK DAYS”.

Let me set the stage.  Picture a happy, young, stay-at-home mom living in a brand new house in an affluent, suburban neighborhood.  There are two luxurious vehicles parked in the garage, a large swimming pool in the back yard, and a strong man going to work each day to provide these luxuries, including all the earthly security you can imagine.

I had somehow managed to “arrive” in this American dream.  I’ll spare you the ugly details, but in the space of three years the man (and his money) was gone, the remaining luxury car in the garage was badly in need of expensive repair, the pool had turned green due to the neglect that comes when there is no money to purchase the expensive chemicals needed to keep it pure, the stay-at-home mom has been back to work and then laid-off, and one child has been diagnosed with ADHD and a major depressive disorder.  To say I lost my mind is a mild understatement.  I simply did not know how to cope.  I couldn’t look my neighbors in the eye.  I was angry with God and I could’t pray. I no longer felt connected to people that I had considered to be my closest friends. Most disturbing of all was that I was failing miserably at hiding my crumbling mental state and our dire financial circumstances from my children. On top of all this, it was MARCH.

I’m sure you’re wondering what’s so awful about March.  Well, my two precious sons have birthdays in March just one week apart.  Until this point in their lives, they had known birthdays to be a time of celebrations, fun with friends, and generous gift giving.  I had examined my bank account, and knew that I could choose to give my boys a little taste of the birthdays to which they had been accustomed, or I could keep the electricity and gas (which we needed for cooking and warm baths) from being disconnected.  So I made the choice that only an insane person would make.  I said, “To heck with the electricity and gas”…I’m going to see that my boys have the birthday celebrations they would expect, and that I felt they deserved.  I didn’t even feel guilty.  I believe that’s the moment I may have fully boarded the “crazy train” and begged the conductor to pull out of the station.

And then, the miracle happened!  Queue the singing angels…seriously.  The very next day, a mysterious envelop appeared in my mailbox.  There was no return address, and no stamp.  Just an envelop with my name.   Inside was a little pile of cash that amounted to the exact amount of money I had just spent to see that my boys could have birthday celebrations.  Not more, and not less…the exact amount.  Nobody but God knew what I had done.  In His mercy, He had not abandoned me to my insanity.  Instead, He heard my silent groans of misery, and allowed my selfish and irresponsible impulse to go unpunished.  He spared me the horror of having to entertain my children through evenings with no lights and cold baths.  Through one of His earthly angels, He cradled me in His arms and said “I’ve got you covered”.

There were many other miracles, both large and small, that I experienced during The DARK DAYS, but this one stands out.  I learned a valuable lesson, and I began to see life awash with generosity and mercy.  Yes, I live with the reality that my current situation is fragile, as is everyone’s.  But I have a confidence that is based in fact that no matter what the happens, God will cradle me into His enormous body (that’s you and me folks) and say “Go for it, Sweetheart, I’ve got you covered”.

Psalm 6The Message (MSG)
A David Psalm
6 1-2 Please, God, no more yelling,
no more trips to the woodshed.
Treat me nice for a change;
I’m so starved for affection.
2-3
Can’t you see I’m black-and-blue,
beat up badly in bones and soul?
God, how long will it take
for you to let up?
4-5
Break in, God, and break up this fight;
if you love me at all, get me out of here.
I’m no good to you dead, am I?
I can’t sing in your choir if I’m buried in some tomb!
6-7
I’m tired of all this—so tired. My bed
has been floating forty days and nights
On the flood of my tears.
My mattress is soaked, soggy with tears.
The sockets of my eyes are black holes;
nearly blind, I squint and grope.
8-9
Get out of here, you Devil’s crew:
at last God has heard my sobs.
My requests have all been granted,
my prayers are answered.
10
Cowards, my enemies disappear.
Disgraced, they turn tail and run.

For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Galatians 5:14

The new gentile Christians of Galatia were subjected to the constant debate of Jewish converts that felt they needed to learn and heed orthodox Jewish law and tradition to earn God’s pleasure. Paul knows that Grace is free and Mercy abounds because God is Love. Our only acceptable response is to return God’s love and Love One Another.

God’s laws are a conduit of love, not a measuring stick to beat each other.

*Serve no other gods……. The One True God is worthy of our fixated adoration.
*Don’t bow down to idols……stay focused on what matters.
*Never take the Father’s name in vain……let your words reflect Holiness of heart.
*Keep the sabbath Holy…….take time to worship God and commune with His people.
*Honor your parents……make family relationships a priority.
*Do not murder…….life is a sacred gift, don’t minimize it.
*Do not commit adultery…..protect the integrity of your family.
*Do not steal…..don’t take what other’s earned and need.
*Do not gossip and lie…..don’t murder someone’s character with words.
*Do not covet…..be content and generous.

Just love. Let God worry about the rest.

Gretchen

You dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. I John 4:4

Who is them? ‘Them’ is the antichrist, those spirits which have enough truth to make trouble but lack The Truth that saves you and makes you whole.

During John’s life there was great struggle with the concept that Jesus came to earth as a fully human baby, lived a tempted but Holy life, served others first then died an unjust death, simply for love’s sake. When reconciled by faith, the Son of God/Son of Man equation takes all of satan’s power. Satan uses confusion to defeat and discourage, but John gives his listeners, yesterday and today, the reminder that our God overcame the world and as His children, so can we.

Because we know God and God is love, we are given the power to discern between that which God gives and that which the world offers. Knowledge isn’t the problem, the power of will is. Be strong and courageous, for your Father is a King and He has already won the day!

Have a great weekend eve,

Gretchen

And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. I Peter, 5:10

One of the three disciples closet to Jesus, Peter wrote this letter to groups of scattered Christians at the outbreak of Nero’s persecution. It was a season of great persecution for all believers. Verses 7-11 are packed with strength and encouragement for the outcast and downtrodden, with verse 10 and 11 being the conclusion.

Peter witnessed the Crucifixion of Christ and He entered the empty tomb. The sights, sounds, smells and emotions……..God’s Glory in 3D living color were Peter’s recent experience, and now he is suffering the same persecution that began at the cross. Because of this, Peter has authority to speak, to testify and to call all believers to perseverance, hope and joy.

Just as Peter modeled, embracing Christ’s attitude toward suffering gives strength in our own persecution and energy to press forward by the power of the God of all Grace!

Love,

Gretchen

The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. John 1:9

As very young children we are taught the opposite of cold is hot, and the opposite of light is dark. Learning skills that help us sort and organize information for ascertaining deep knowledge is great, but for the purpose of this theological moment, let’s consider that they are not, opposites, but have another relationship. Cold is the absence of heat, and light dispels darkness.

The True Light that John speaks of is so radiant that where it shines it eradicates every shadow and every hidden crevice and cave. Imagine for a moment that even where you stand, there will be no darkness beneath your feet in this Light’s illumination.

Darkness is synonymous with hopelessness, yet, just a pinhole of light, a tiny glow brings promise, hope. Jesus came into the world during the reign of one of history’s most bloodthirsty characters, Herod the Great. In addition, the Jewish hierarchy was corrupt and self-serving. The world was dark, AND THEN….God sent His Son, the Light of the world. This light swallows the darkness that threatens, worries and intimidates each of us. We have hope, a future and an assurance that we will never be overwhelmed or consumed by darkness again.

No matter the weather, the Son is always shining!

Gretchen

But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name. John 20:31

The empty tomb begins John chapter 20. On that same evening Jesus appears to His disciples, minus Thomas, and breaths His Spirit on them. The story of Thomas reaching out and touching Jesus’ scars is also told. Following these accounts, John concludes this passage with the comment that what he has written is just a small fraction of all that Jesus did,

The divinity of Christ is the major theme of John’s writing. Jesus is the Son of God, and yet, became the son of man. He died an unjust execution at the hands of selfish men, but rose from the grave taking all power of sin away from satan and his minions.

There is enough Good News in Johns Gospel for you and I to know who Jesus is, what is purpose was and how we should respond. God’s word is a book of Love and invitation specifically for you personally.

Love,

Gretchen