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 I applied my mind to study and to explore by wisdom all that is done under the heavens. What a heavy burden God has laid on the human race! Ecclesiastes 1:13

Ancient religious scholars attributed righteousness with a good and prosperous life while death and destruction were the evidence and consequence of sin. This disillusionment created a pessimistic view of God. Life is futile, nothing but a struggle. So what’s the point? Do we have a purpose?

The writer, most likely Solomon, king David’s son, credited with being mankind’s wisest model, realized, awareness through knowledge brings sorrow, yet self indulgence has it’s own brand of grief. Life is a vicious cycle and then we die. As a result of sin, God did lay a heavy burden on the human race and the hoist from which to escape is faith.

Knowledge is a tremendous and valuable asset, but it is not what pleases God. That is found in faith. Without faith it’s impossible to please God. (Hebrews 11:6)

Have a Wonderful Friday,

Gretchen

Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Philippians 2:4

Paul and Silas founded this first Christian church in a town built on gold mining, in the home of Lydia, an astute business woman. She was one of the first converts and offered her home as a place of worship and discipleship. This church sent Paul funds while he was under house arrest in Rome.

The early church saw Paul continually imprisoned for the work of the Gospel. They were constantly confronted with false and twisted theologies. The Philippians were a proud people and struggled with division over petty issues of culture. In order to grow and survive, this group of people began to learn and live a bigger picture.

We must look directly past the end of our own noses in order to safely step forward. The problem lies in never looking further and concluding that’s all there is.

We are called to a single minded Holiness, but an egocentric mentality that spirals all things back to us is destructive. Great love is found in putting aside our convenient interest for someone else’s best interest.

Have a lovely day,

Gretchen

And to know this love that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:19

Ephesians 3:14-21 is a poignant prayer for the church in Ephesus. These maturing Christians were struggling with every aspect of Holy living. Paul knows the answer, a love that surpasses knowledge.

Love is the keystone to every aspect of Christian living. Love does conquer all because it is a choice, an act of freewill that gives the believer power and strength to hope, persevere, and vanquish all things that stands between them and their Savior, making room for the miracle of life to flourish in grace and mercy.

Man strives to explain and understand every phenomenon of the universe. Boundaries and clear definition give security, but for the believer, knowledge ends with a void and then faith completes us. We cannot fathom God’s love because it reaches dimensions we cannot measure. We must willingly step into a cycle where faith perpetuates love and love perpetuates faith. One cannot exist without the other.

Fill yourself with the fullness of God’s love.

Love,

Gretchen

How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God Reigns!” Isaiah 52:7

Isaiah had a singular mission that spans generations: Tell of God’s judgement, justice, redemption and eternal hope. His words predominantly fell on deaf ears, but future generations, those whose hope was in the Lord, waited for the Messiah, the Man Isaiah seemed to know personally.

As a consequence of sin, the descendants of Abraham, God’s covenant people, were exiled and dispersed far from their inheritance. They struggled to eek out an existence and their personal identity was becoming ghostly invisible. Isaiah reminds these broken people that God has not forsaken them. They must turn from their wicked idolatry and faithlessness and put their trust exclusively in God.

This has always been a favorite verse of mine. Take a moment and recognize how aware you are of the sounds and sights of people in your life, past and present, especially those you associate with respite, comfort, encouragement and hope. They are beautiful, not because of their skin care products or their stylist’s efforts, but because they brought good news, they proclaimed peace, lived a relationship with Christ and gave hope.

You are most likely that person in someone’s life. Thank you. Stay the course and proclaim, “OUR GOD REIGNS!”

Love you!

Gretchen

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.Matthew 11:29

Jesus’ words struck chords with ordinary folk who were poor and worn down by the burdens of getting by. He spoke often to them with analogies and metaphors from their everyday life.

A yoke is a steering mechanism meant for a team of oxen. It looks like a device of torture, a collar of wood and steel, cumbersome and unyielding. The oxen walk together as a team and turn because they simply have no choice and it would be painful to resist the harness. Jesus invites each of us to take His yoke and be led exclusively by Him. His yoke is not heavy and unforgiving. It is easy and gentle. Unlike the oxen’s yoke, the yoke we are invited to is our choice.

Jesus, the Son of God, the sacrificial member of the Holy Trinity, humbled Himself to become lower than man’s most despicable sin. This Christ calls us to a place of rest because He is offering to carry our burdens. If we take His yoke, He will chose the route, the perfect pace of forward motion and always provide sustenance for daily living. Jesus will lead, we will follow. The perfect Global Positioning System (GPS) traveling team.

Plodding Along,

Gretchen

Do you send the lightning bolts on their way? Do they report to you, “Here we are”? Job 38:35

Job loses everything, his family, his home, his health, his wealth and finally his dignity when his well meaning friends suggest the root of his situation is hidden sin. Job protests. He did what God asked of him, he was generous to the underdog and sacrificed for his children. Through everything, Job did not give up on God, but continued to seek understanding in his suffering and hardship. Job’s faith isn’t superficial; only existing when God sends blessings. Instead he sought relationship with God.

In Job’s story he cries out to God in anguish, “WHY?!” Today’s scripture is from God’s response. God alone created the Heavens and the earth. God alone understands the workings of the universe. Our imperfect understanding does not define God.

Holding onto our faith when things don’t go our way is relationship with God. Great faith is knowing that God is loving, kind and good when our earthly perspective indicates otherwise. Job doesn’t lack faith, but displays deep faith. Security is not found in knowing God’s ways but in trusting Him no matter what.

Love,

Gretchen

The LORD is my shepherd. I shall not want. Psalm 23:1

A good shepherd leads His flock to the very best grazing. These fields of plenty do not reflect the quality or pedigree of the sheep, but speak volumes about the pastoralist’s character. The simple truth the Psalmist learned and put into verse is: God is our good and loving Shepherd. He will provide every need of our existence.

We are His sheep. The path to lush carpets of green may be up hill, rocky and narrow, but the Shepherd knows the way. We must follow. Any other path leads to despair, desperation and death, so keep your head up and stay close.

Munchin’ on the Good stuff,

Gretchen

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:4

When I was young I refused to acknowledge Psalm 23. My father is a pastor and so I observed many grieving families and attended funerals as was appropriate for a child. Psalm 23 was the ever present scripture for memorial folders. I associated it with death rather than life. I have outgrown that misconception.

In the valley there is the SHADOW of death. Not death, just a harmless shadow! The faithful believer does not die. They pass immediately (actually even quicker than immediately) into the presence of Heaven and they are not disappointed to be there. For those who remain, death is horrible, lonely, it changes life profoundly. Satan attacks us in these vulnerable moments, moments that only faith can see us through. There is no tangible evidence of Heaven, only what is known deeply in our hearts through the Holy Spirit.

The Good Shepherd’s rod and staff represent His authority, something the unbeliever or convicted soul resents. These are not tools of cruelty and abuse, instead they protect and guide. God never…..never takes His eyes off you, until you are safely home.

The 23rd Psalm is about life: Life on this side of Heaven and life eternal.

Love,

Gretchen

He says, “Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalms 46:10

The hardest thing for me to achieve is ‘still!’ The world is full of distractions and most them are really delightful and even productive and benevolent. Busy is not all bad and being ‘still’ doesn’t come natural. Humans are on the move from the time they crawl. But ‘still’ is necessary. God wants our total, uninterrupted and completely focused attention and we need to rest and restore.

While in college far away from home I was sitting in a church service and the pastor told the congregation, “Close your eyes and imagine that you are sitting in your Heavenly Father’s lap.” He went on to guide us into sensing the warmth of our Father’s arms, the gentleness of His breath in our hair while hearing the steady beat of His heart as He rocked us to the rhythm of a most perfect lullaby. In this manner I found and rest, and peace.

We have assurance that God is God, the great I AM. It isn’t only the volume of our voice and our crazy, busy efforts that praise and exalt Him. He dwells in the quiet, calm stillness of our peace. From there He will do great things.

Have a Wonderful Wednesday,

Gretchen

The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Psalms 9:9

When I struggle with a world that disappoints, or simply can’t make since of heartache, I go to the Psalms. Psalms 9 is beautiful. I encourage you to read all of it and read others often.

A refuge is a safe place that provides needed resources to survive and thrive. Oppression; forced misery. A stronghold is a refuge with protection. Do I really need to define trouble?

The LORD is our safe place. He is THE place where we become healthy and remain so. When oppression and troubles dog our heals, there is only one place to run, and He is waiting with open arms!

Lacing up my Sneakers,

Gretchen