This Christmas, as we celebrate the birth of Christ, I’ve been pondering women in Scripture who play important roles in Jesus’ early life. Here’s how I imagine and comment on the story of Elizabeth: Hands clasped around her protruding abdomen, the woman glows. Her smile deepens the lines on her weathered cheeks, betraying an age far beyond that of most women in her condition. But her age only heightens her joy, for the Lord has done the impossible for her. ‘Just like Sarah,’ she whispers to herself, ‘Yahweh has replaced my bitterness and disgrace with great joy and wonder.’ Continue Reading
Why You Don’t Need to be Nervous about the Gift of Prophecy
When I say “prophecy,” what pops into your head? Old Testament eccentric loners rebuking ungodly kings? Apocalyptic visions of cosmic dragons? Let’s narrow the topic down to the gift of prophecy mentioned in 1 Cor. 12:10 and Rom. 12:6. Some folks believe this gift of the Holy Spirit is not legitimately in operation today, so they aren’t comfortable with it. Others believe it is for today, but don’t quite know what to make of it. Common reservations about the gift of prophecy include its supernatural aspect and the fear of feeling exposed or punished by God through prophetic Continue Reading
How the Invisible Sign Women see at Church Discourages them from Ministry
Sipping coffee one morning at our church network’s family camp, I caught up with a younger acquaintance to whom I’d given a prophetic word fourteen years previously. She told me about the profound impact of the incident. When Shyla began leading worship, her church only released women to minister to a degree. She struggled to overcome lies which attacked her mind before and after leading worship, sensing an invisible restriction while young men around her were placed into more prominent positions. She wondered, Is there something wrong with me? Something I should do Continue Reading
Why Some Soul Wounds Require Understanding the Mother Heart of God
Going through my journals recently, I ran across an entry from February 2020. I was scheduled for a total hip replacement surgery, quite nervous about how the whole process. Sometimes I let the Lord speak to me through my pen. The deeply comforting words I found myself writing were these: "Let Me mother you in this situation." When we see God only as a father, not as a mother, we are left feeling like spiritual orphans bereft of the nurturing comfort and support provided by a mother. Read my article on this here - and may you experience the entirety of God's love for Continue Reading