My Lovely Dwelling Place

  His Grace in Sufficient   So, the other day I had a particularly frustrating day at work – not a new thing, not an everyday thing – but certainly not an isolated thing. I came home to an ongoing conflict – again not a new thing, not an everyday thing – but certainly not an isolated thing. I’ve seen it before… maybe different faces and different situations – but basically the same show, different day… And I was tired… tired of foolishness, tired of selfishness, tired of impatience and anger… tired of sin that continually raises its ugly head in my life, in my home, in the workplace, and in the world at large. And I heard myself say – “I wish I had a different life.” Now this made me pause, because I know I’m blessed. I’m thankful for the life the Lord has given me. I love my husband and my children. And I am thankful for my job. But I said it anyway... Sometimes that’s how life is – we get tired of it. Now I’m not a very astute person – sometimes I have to be physi

  You know, I think it’s a privilege to be a woman. To be made in the image of God as a woman. To have the biology to produce children and nurture them. To be a supporter, nurturer, and encourager of any in my circle of influence. To live out my calling from God as a woman and to encourage other women to do the same (Titus 2:1-4). I don’t find any ambiguity in womanhood – I see purpose. For our day and our time, we need to be clear about our purpose. So, how can we encourage one another as women? What could women’s ministry look like? I think we can find an example in Luke chapter 1. These passages may be very familiar – in them we are introduced to two women – one older and one younger. You know the story – Zacharias is in the midst of an opportunity of a life time – as a priest he is chosen to enter the Holy of Holies and burn incense. While there the angel Gabriel appears and tells him his wife Elizabeth will bear him a son that will bring joy and turn the sons of Israel bac

  Limits Limits – we’re used to them – speed limits, credit limits, menu limits, gas price limits… Well, maybe not. Did you know the bad guys have limits? It would be nice, wouldn’t it? If the oppressors, the wicked, and the incompetent could only go so far and that was it. They’re done – game over! Well, they do. Take for example, Balaam. Balaam was a prophet or a seer – someone that could be hired for money to give a message from God. He wasn’t a real prophet like Isaiah or Ezekiel. He could be bought. Balak was the king of Moab and he was afraid. Israel was on the move in the desert. They had conquered the Amorites and there were a lot of them. We know what he thought, “Now this horde will lick up all that is around us, as the ox licks up the grass of the field” (Numbers 22:4). So Balak sent for Balaam and promised Balaam a rich reward if he would curse the Israelites. Now Balaam was willing, but God told him not to go. The whole story is in Numbers 22-24 – you can