Monthly Archives: July 2016

Walls and Bridges

Posted on July 29, 2016 by gretchenr17

Growing up, there was an older couple I used to know who treated each other with compassion and kindness. Each time they spoke to each other, their words would build up their other person. Words like, thank you, I appreciate … Continue reading →

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happy days

Posted on July 22, 2016 by gretchenr17

Today started out like Oscar’s can was kicked; grouchy, irritable, and not very likely to improve. Then I had the chance to visit with a couple friends and learn some good news about life decisions being made. My heart started … Continue reading →

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rest and delivery

Posted on July 21, 2016 by gretchenr17

This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: “In repentance and rest is your salvation,     in quietness and trust is your strength,     but you would have none of it.  You said, ‘No, we will flee on … Continue reading →

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The letter A

Posted on July 20, 2016 by gretchenr17

During the first century A.D. when crafters and builders were creating new buildings they would mark the stones they were going to use with the word dokimos which meant “approved.” In other words, it was a good stone to use for … Continue reading →

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seekers

Posted on July 15, 2016 by gretchenr17

One of the games my sons loved to play was Hide-and-Seek. In the beginning their hiding places were pretty basic; behind a chair, under a blanket, often with a bit of giggling while trying to keep quiet. As time went … Continue reading →

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surrounded

Posted on July 14, 2016 by gretchenr17

I recently took a new position at work. One of the perks of this position is I have a desk I don’t have to share with other co-workers. As I settled into my new place, I found my name card … Continue reading →

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bleakly beautiful

Posted on July 13, 2016 by gretchenr17

I have been reading through Bleak House by Charles Dickens for a while, slowly taking in the story. It is full of characters, sub-characters, walk on extras, and a clear commentary of the judicial system in England during that time. One character … Continue reading →

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Eve, Proverbs 31, and me

Posted on July 11, 2016 by gretchenr17

As Christian wives we all know that to be like Eve is not a compliment. We see her as part of The Fall and the reason we have child-birth pains. It was through her sin that God’s redemption would come … Continue reading →

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locks and keys

Posted on July 8, 2016 by gretchenr17

When I was a young believer, I struggled so fiercely with the weight of all the things I had done wrong. I believed that my sins were of a different caliber, somehow worse than any sin ever committed by anyone … Continue reading →

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more

Posted on July 6, 2016 by gretchenr17

I recently received an email with the question, “Are you hungry?” as part of the hook to get me to open it. I deleted it without opening the email. Besides my internal answer of, “no,” I didn’t want to get … Continue reading →

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