Upon reading my devotion this morning, I came across this scripture,  Exodus 25:8 “I want the people of Israel to build me a sacred residence where I can live among them.”

I began to think of my home and wonder, “am I making it a “sacred residence that He can live among us?” As I think about that, I have to remember that when we moved into this home, both Randy and I dedicated it to the Lord and told Him that this was His house. That He could use it for anything HE wanted!. As I look back over the last 3 years, I remembered “taking it back” many times from the Lord. There have been times when I knew that I should be inviting someone over who just needed a night of laughter, encouragment and a meal, but I was “too busy”. There have been times when I think back of nights when we sat in front of the television, when in fact, we could have had the new minister and his family over, to welcome them to our church; or a new widow that is still trying to get adjusted to eatting dinner alone every night.

There were nights when Randy and I would sit there talking about tired we are of being so busy and not much time to ourselves. Then when I read this mornings scripture………it reminded me that we had told the Lord that this was His house, and that it means, not just when it is convenient for us, but at all times, for whenever He desires to open it to others. The scripture, “you might just be entertaining angels unaware” comes to mind. We both feel that we have entertained “angels, unaware” at certain times, and it was those times when we were the ones to receive the blessing. Is my home always open to who God puts on the doorstep? Is it warm and inviting? Do I treat each person that walks in that door as important as another? Do I share the Love of Christ to them? Is Christ reflected in my smile or welcome? Do they leave this home feeling that they have been in a “sacred residence” one which honors the Lord, that only edification and encouragement was heard?

Will you join me in making this year the year of making our homes a “sacred residence”? Let’s honor God where we are, our homes! Let’s make it a place where our husbands want to come home and our children want to be there. Let’s use our homes as an extention of God’s love to whoever He brings to our front door.

Part of my morning devotion the last few mornings has been to read a little in the above mentioned book. There is a page in it that I would like to share with you.

“The Fear of Speaking Out to the World around Us” In this part of the book, God has told Abraham to leave his country, his people and travel to the Land of Canaan. Abraham has arrived and has heard God speak to him telling him that this land would be given to his offspring. Upon hearing this, Abraham proceeds to build an alter to the Lord, right there in the middle of Canaan. Can’t you just imagine the Canaanites asking him what he is doing….this leads up to this page in the book, where Abraham, must have felt all eyes of the Canaanites  on him, as he builds the alter to worship God, “What God are you building this alter to, as we have many god’s here in Canaan?”  Abraham’s response, “My God, who is the one true living God. The Creator of the universe and all that is in it.” “That sounds pretty narrow minded to us. So what’s with the alter?” (Canaanites)

Abraham…”God has said the only way we can be reconciled with Him, the only way we can enter into His presence, is through the sacrificial blod of a lamb. I’m worshiping God as He requires.”

Canaanites response, “didn’t I tell you that he was narrow minded? I’ve never heard of anything more intolerant or exclusive-not to mention weird. We need to keep our eye on this stranger in our midst.”

“When have you presented the gospel to the people around you? Who has seen your “alter”? When have you told others that you have been reconciled to God through the blood of the Lamb and that they can be also? Are you afraid, in our politically correct, increasingly pluralistic, multicultural society to exalt Jesus as…………

the unique Son of God,

the sinner’s Savior,

The captive’s Ransom,

The Breath of Life,

The Centerpiece of all cultures,

the one who stands in the solitude of Himself, by His own authoritative declaration, as “the way and the truth and the life”?

“Jesus said, “No one comes to the Father except through me.” So don’t be afraid. Build your alter”

This page in Anne’s book spoke to me so vividly this morning, as I prayed that God would use me. Where am I allowing Him to use me and where will I build my alter to Him? It might be someplace new, it could be in my neighborhood, or among people who God brings into my life. As we walk this “spiritual walk” with Him, we learn that we are always surprised at how God comes to us. It is never in the same way. It will always be in His time, His way and it will always be an adventure. I want to commit to Him to come humbly before Him, seeking HIS WILL, not mine……..will you join me in “building our alters” wherever and whenever He speaks?

OK, I know now you think I have totally lost it. I probably have, but have to share a secret with you. If you are ever in the downtown Dallas area, you MUST go to Fuel City for the best tacos in the world.

We were up preparing for church when lo and behold we hear one of our favorite gospel groups on the radio and they are saying that they will be at First Bapt Dallas this morning. Well, we forgo some of the normal “prep” work of getting ready, like eatting and get on the road to head downtown. The music and the sermon was so worth the drive and the skipping of breakfast. Now, on the way down the tollway, I tell Randy, “you know, while we are down here, why don’t we go to Fuel City for breakfast. He looks at me with that “look of love” and smiles and says “oh yeah, that’s why I love you, I was planning on taking you to a nice breakfast someplace where we could maybe sit and have a great cup of coffee by a fireplace, eat warm rolls and enjoy a leisurely breakfast, but you are on, missy”. Of course, this also appeals to his “frugal” side, as he is getting out so cheap. Instead of a $20.00 breakfast, he can fill me up with about $6.00 worth of tacos. Now the scenery isn’t all that great, and the only fireplace is when we turn on our heated seats as you have to eat in your car. The points of interest is the city jail, the Copa Capana Strip Joint across the street, but trust me on this, the tacos are just the best you could find anywhere in Texas. So don your bullet proof vest, fill up the car with gas, and head on down to Fuel City and enjoy the barbacoa dripping down the front of you while sitting in your car, watching the bail bondsmen, city attorneys, truck drivers, people who have not been home since around 8:00 last night with still the same clothes on, and eat until your hearts content. Next time, we are just going to give them a $20.00 bill and tell them to keep the tacos coming until we have our $20 worth.

It was also on this excursion that we discovered that our honeymoon stage is over. When we are driving home, Randy takes one hand off the steering wheel and says, “wow, I can still smell the taco on my hands.” Now ladies, if you are like me, you remember the time when you were first married or dating and if your “sweetie” had touched the steering wheel or your phone, you would smell your hands and think, “oh, doesn’t it smell just like him” and you would remember having him hug you and look down and kiss you. Well, now, it is a little different, now we lift our hands, smell the tacos and dream of the next time we can head down to the Riverfront exit off Interstate 35 South, downtown Dallas.  Because of the onions and cilantro, we won’t be doing too much kissing until we get home and are able to gargle…….