Taming of the Crowds...

One of my favorite events marking summer in St. Louis is attending the free Shakespeare in the Park production. The atmosphere of families with picnic dinners, lawn chairs, blankets, and watching strolling madrigal singers, fire twirlers, jugglers, and actors roaming the audience as they get "in character" make for a memorable evening.

Each year we marvel at the different approaches or "takes" directors have for retelling the Shakespeare stories. This year, for example, the director decided to use a 50's setting and costuming for TAMING OF THE SHREW, resulting in a fun evening for the 5000 folks gathered.

I especially enjoy these evenings because I, like my mother, am a people-watcher. Are you one, too? I used to get embarrassed when my mother watched people so much. She just enjoyed seeing all the different faces, attire, and interactions. I am now as bad as she was. It is pure entertainment for me.

Planting our lawn chairs I noted the different types of people gathered for this universal event. The families in their preppy, polo shirts and sandals with plaid knee-length shorts carrying the traditional wicker basket, fold-out table upon which they set their bottle of wine, glasses, assorted cheeses, and saran-wrapped sandwiches. I noticed one such mother even had even cut the crust off each sandwich. Then there were the more Bohemian members strolling in Birkenstocks, comfortable clothes resembling draped scarves, wildly blowing hair, arriving two minutes before performance thinking they would find a spot in the audience amid the shoulder-to-shoulder crowd. I figured my family and I fell somewhere between the anal and abstract.

What does this have to do with God though? I was soaking in the perfect night. The breeze, setting sun, lack of humidity, birds singing, people laughing, and I saw it. There was the crowd-controller-guy. For him, tonight was far from perfect.

You see, his job was to keep people behind the lines marked off for walking aisles. There were little lights marking a pathway in the grass for once the sun set. His job was to make sure no lawn chairs or blankets went over the established, yet temporary lines.

Of course the closer the time came for the play to begin, the more people pushed the boundaries. Over and over, I watched him explain that folks putting their blankets and baskets down had to pick them up and move. As the routine continued I noticed the different reactions to him. Some were, "Oh, Sorry, O.K." While others became indignant and even angry.

I did not envy his job. I had had some very similar to his in my past. Being an arena usher at college concerts was a rude awakening at the abuse people could dish out.

I thought back to previous devotions about my own expectations. How would I have reacted? Would I have argued, pointing out there was plenty of room? Would I have walked away in a huff? Would I have expected to have been treated differently from others?

Or...would I have turned the other cheek, muttered a "sorry," and continued my search?

God tells us to show compassion to others. Jesus demonstrated compassion over and over again in the Bible and continues to do so today for His believers.

So I wonder, as others people-watch me, do they see Jesus?

How about you?

I pray they do for each of us.

For His Glory,
Gretchen

30 Minutes of Silence?

Revelation is truly an amazing read!

I hope you have read it or are joining me. If so, you understand my experience.

Today, in Revelation 8, the Seventh Seal was opened. When this seal was opened, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.

Usually, I would've breezed by that, but not today. It hit me what 30 minutes of silence in heaven would seem like.

I mean, have YOU ever had 30 minutes of just silence lately? No television, podcast, Itunes, cell phone vibrating, people talking, computer screen tasks....?

I thought about that challenge. What would it be like to have 30 minutes of silence just focused on God today?

What would be different as a result? Could I do it?

I am considering trying it.

In addition to Revelation, I read Daniel 4. I was so surprised (yes, again) to see that after the fiery furnace experience in seeing the three young men survive his punishment, King Nebuchadnezzar still relied on his magicians, astrologers, and self instead of God. I mean, what does it take?

It obviously took more for him to get it. One more dream. One more interpretation.
-And
Seven years of insanity as a result before he came to the point of saying," His dominion is an eternal dominion; ...He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven...No one can hold back his hand or say to him, 'What have you done?'"

The King liked worshiping gods he felt he could control. With that control came so much pride in his accomplishments, and he did have a lot of accomplishments. Yet he never recognized the source of his achievements. As a result, in mid-boast, God struck him with insanity and banished him from his kingdom for seven years before the king finally returned and not only professed God's greatness but also God's control over all things and people.

In reflecting, I am sure God feels the same way about me. I mean what does it take for me to get it some days? God has done so much for me, but there are still times I lapse into CONTROL issues. There I times I seek help or solace from earthly sources rather than God (ever hear of comfort food?).

I am not much different than King Nebuchadnezzar. I'm few million dollars poorer, but I'm not that much in forgetting at times who is in control of this life.

Forgive me, God, in my 30 minutes of silence today. Help me focus on you and your love. You and your mercy. You.

Hear that?

The presence of God in the silence is sweet.

For His Glory,
Gretchen

Ever Feel Like You'd Die for a Cup of Coffee? I Almost Did...

Be careful what you whine about...

I've been told that and even told others that as well.

Today I experienced it.

I wanted a hot cup of coffee this morning, but not just any cup. I wanted a Skinny Caramel Machiatto from Starbucks. Grande!

You see I am a new coffee drinker. At my old age, I have discovered the joy of sitting with a hot cup in my hand and sipping as I wake up.

Today, after dropping my daughter off at soccer, I thought I would indulge by going to a drive-through Starbucks and getting a quick SCMGrande.

Did I say, "Quick"?

The line seemed to take forever. When I arrived at the window, I sat for a full three minutes waiting and waiting. Staring ahead at the parking lot.

Then it happened. In front of my eyes a car swooshed in front of me slamming into the guard rail which was the only thing preventing it from going into major traffic.

It was going at such speed that it repeatedly backed up and rammed the rail until finally coming to a stop.

Just as it finished, the window slid open and a sweet voice said, "Here is your Grande Skinny Caramel Machiatto." I looked up at her smile, and thought..."Just a few minutes earlier and I would have been slammed into by that car unexpectedly!"

Just a few minutes could have made a difference between life and death or at least severe injury.

And here I was ready to gripe about my coffee wait!

Oh my, what must go on behind the curtains of heaven!

Thank you God for your protection today.

I am praising Him as I sip my SCMGrande.

For His Glory,
Gretchen

GOING THROUGH THE FIRE!

My 10-yr. old daughter and I are reading Daniel this summer.

While I remember the story from my Sunday School childhood days, I am seeing parts that truly surprise me and apply to more areas of my life than I thought possible.

(Isn't that the way the Bible is, though? God's Word touches our lives where we are at the moment of reading it.)

Today, we read about Meschach, Shadrach, and Abendigo refusing to bow down to Nebachanezur's 90+foot gold statue. We know that the king became angry and declared they would be burned in the fiery furnace he had built as a result.

Even when facing this choice, the three young men made a surprising declaration.

They declared that their God could save them, BUT if He chose not to do so, they would still not bow down!

Whoa! I seemed to have missed that part as a child. My daughter and I talked about the choice of still obeying and loving God when it looks like no rescue will come.

That is the most difficult decision to make, isn't it? As a Christian, I like to think I get extra privileges for safety and healing because of my relationship with God.

What do I do when I don't see a rescue though? Am I determined and strong enough in my faith like these three young men to say, "NO MATTER WHAT THE FIRE DOES, I'M HIS!"?

Recently, my sister-in-law Tabby had this same experience. You may recall her from previous blogs. She went through the fire of liver and colon cancer. Her healing was miraculous.

That was a few months ago. Suddenly, she began experiencing pain in the same area again. Blood test were required.

She had to wait all weekend and through Monday for the results. Those of you who have had tests, know the pain and fear that come with waiting for results. She had restless nights, but kept her focus on God. The fire surrounded her in the dark, quiet nights as others slept in her home and she struggled with the fear of returning cancer.

She declared once again, "Please, remove this from my body, but if it is not your will, be with me. Hold me. Give me peace."

No matter what the results of the fire, God was with her.

And...once again, good news! Her blood test results are even better than before she stopped chemo!

The pain is still there. More tests will take place to determine that cause, but we continue to pray for healing and relief from pain.

What fire are you going through today? Loss of job, stress, disease, loneliness, depression?

God is with you through your fire. Make a choice to stand with God, won't you, no matter what the results of that fire? Stand firm. Put on the whole armor of God. Keep your helmet of salvation on as your thoughts try to turn to darkness and fear.

The God of Shadrach, Meschach, and Abendigo as well as the God of Tabby, the God of so many other witnesses (Hebrews 12) who have gone before, is standing in the fire with you.

For His Glory,
Gretchen

Under His Tent

My husband loves to camp in the woods.
His passion for the outdoors is one of the attributes that first attracted me to him.

I always love going for a walk in the woods.
However, my husband's walks go on for days. The further away from civilization, the better for him.

For me, I will take a day out and then a nice return to a clean hotel room and bathroom facility will do.

When we first married, we could not afford hotels. As starting teachers we enjoyed traveling across the U.S.

Our accommodation? A pup tent much like the one in the picture, not the elaborate one either. KOA campground guides became our "Bible" for travel. We did not care about the weather or the camp site. We just explored as long as the daylight would let us, returning only to our little tent when absolutely necessary.

I can not imagine doing that today. My old bones would not take it. -And no airconditioning for this post menopausal body? Forget it.

Today, I thought about tents again. This morning, taking my daughter to soccer camp, we were dismayed seeing large, cold rain drops plop on our car window. Soon a downpour came.

Trying to fit in a morning at camp, the instructors sent the kids out on the field in the sheets of rain. Worried parents stood on the sidelines with umbrellas.

Soon thunder, then lightning cancelled the morning camp session. Drenched children and agitated parents filed back to cars and home to figure out the day's summer activity schedule.

We could have used a tent, I thought. I nice, big tent. Even for the hot, humid sun when it returns. A tent would provide shelter from storms as well as intense sun.

I opened my Bible after putting soccer clothes in the dryer and read much to my surprise Revelation 7:17,"....those who believe are under His tent...."

I like that. I like being under God's protective tent. My body may be beaten up by the aging process or disease, but my soul is eternally under His tent.

--And that tent, Dear Reader, is not like the little pup tent my husband and I depended upon as we travelled across the country. It is God's tent.

I picture it much more suitable for caring and love and shelter than anything I have imagined,even more than the elaborate tent pictured at the top.


Thank you, Jesus, for your tent of love over each of us today!

For His Glory,
Gretchen

The Followers on the Blog have been Deleted!

The irony of this message is that it happened the day I wrote about how our names are permanently written on a white rock in heaven as believers.

Then I noticed all the names of the "Followers" of my devotional blog have been deleted. Going on line, I saw I was not alone. Numerous blogs have experienced permanent loss of followers' names. Followers are also struggling to sign in to such blogs.

I don't know the reason nor the technology to fix this. I have tried.

So now, what do I do? I have been sharing this daily devotional instead of writing a second book. I felt God placed that on my heart.

But now, no one may be able to read this blog, so I write for His glory but to no one who can read this?

It is a conundrum.

Should anyone be able to read this today, I am so glad as Follower of Jesus that my name will never be deleted nor will yours. We have blessed assurance that Jesus loves us, is passionate about us, and is with us.

No delete buttons.
No technical errors.

For His Glory,
Gretchen

Your Name on a White Rock

ALOHA!

Yes, we just returned from paradise!
Leaving behind tornadoes, 99 degree weather, humidity, cicadas swarming our yard, and even a small earthquake, my little family journeyed to a once-in-our-lifetime event, the Big Island.

I admit, I am not as great a traveler as I used to be. In my youth, I dreamed of traveling the world and escaping my all-too-small town. I used to drive to the small airport in Marion and just sit in the parking lot wishing to be on one of those small planes going to a city, then another city, then another....

I married a man who also loved to travel. And we did! No tourist packages, mind you. We were on a budget. So we drove around Europe, unable to speak any other language than our own. It was an adventure!It also made for great marriage-making moments!

Now, though, flying is stressful to me! Trying to figure out what size contact container, lotions, dealing with x-ray machines, and packing everything I need into a small carry-on to avoid airline fees seems to panic me as I stand in the long security lines.

For LAX we had to arrive 2 hours early. Oh, yes, we also had three connecting flights with layovers in order to get to Hawaii.

But, my whining is not the point. I had to face my stress and fears and decide it was now time to help my 10-yr. old daughter enjoy seeing the wonders God had created outside of St. Louis. Packing our small bags, we braved security lines, sat in overcrowded airports, and arrived in beautiful Hawaii.

At first, it did not seem beautiful. As we drove from Kona airport, I thought I had landed on the moon instead! Ugly, black lava rock surrounded us. Not a palm tree in sight! Then I saw white rocks used as graffiti to spell out names, declarations of love, and messages of hope along the road.

I found it humorous how we as humans desire one thing: To be remembered.

We want folks to know our names, don't we? We want to feel we matter. -That our time walking on this earth makes a difference.

That is what graffiti is all about for most people. Here on this island, it was no different. Visitors from around the world gathered white rocks and used the jagged lava as their slates on which to write their names.

Upon seeing those names spelled out in white pebbles, I flashed immediately to Revelation. I had just read about how the names of the saints or believers would be written on a white rock.

The image made no impression upon me until I saw acre after acre of white rock names.

I like the image!
I like knowing God knows MY name!
I like knowing I make a difference with God!
I matter!

So do you!

Never doubt that, Dear Reader!

Revelation 2:17 To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it.

Once we believe in Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we receive a new name, a new heart forever!

As a result, we will not have to worry about connecting flights or stressful lines. We have a reservation in a paradise with which Hawaii can never compare!

I'm planning on seeing you there!

Mahalo,
For His Glory,
Gretchen