Dynamic Women in Missions

05/30/2026

WHY DIDN'T THEY TELL US? 😦
By Alice H. Murray

“He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my family... Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’” Luke 16:27-28 (NIV)

Entering the base exchange building, I found Starbucks closed. What? At 9:45 am, people should be standing in line for their morning caffeine fix.

My bookselling table sat in front of Starbucks, a prime location when open. A vendor nearby informed me a pipe had burst requiring the water to be shut off. Starbucks couldn’t operate without running water and was thus shuttered. Around my selling area big signs announced Starbucks’ closure, and I heard a base exchange employee tell a shopper the closure had been posted on the internet.

Despite these clear public messages, potential customers arrived and gazed around in confusion. Many asked what was going on and were told about the plumbing issue. They groaned at the torture of been unable to have coffee. Their response? “It would’ve been nice if they’d told us so we didn’t come all the way here for nothing.”

This situation reminded me of Jesus’ parable in Luke 16 about The Rich Man and Lazarus. Tormented in Hades, the rich man begged God to send someone to warn his brothers so they could avoid ending up where he did. God responded by pointing out the brothers had Moses and the Prophets, the Hebrew Scriptures, to warn them. The information required was already available to them like the internet postings and signs about the Starbucks’ closure at the base exchange.

But a personal explanation of how to avoid ending up in torment is likely to be more effective than general notices. That’s why God sent Jesus to Earth in the flesh and why Jesus told His disciples to go into all the world. Thus, to spur myself to share the Good News more often, I think how I’d feel if lost people asked me why I didn’t tell them about Jesus.

05/20/2026

JUST A LITTLE CLOSER
By Alice H. Murray

“Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evildoers.” Proverbs 4:14 (NIV)

A blasting siren shattered our neighborhood’s peacefulness. My sister and I ran into the front yard to see what was happening. Smoke billowed from a house at the end of the street where the fire truck had parked. Curious, we strained to see what was going on from our distant vantage point.

Dad followed us outside. He quickly recognized what my sister and I were thinking. We wanted to walk down the street closer to the fire scene. He told us in no uncertain terms not to leave the yard. Then, Dad went back inside.

My sister and I grew increasingly impatient as activity increased down the street. Would it hurt to go into the yard next door to get a better view? We were just moving a little closer, not going all the way to the fire scene. This logic prevailed until we’d moved about four houses from home. Then, Dad appeared. He sent us home to be punished.

Dangerous things attract believers just as the fire scene drew my sister and me to disobey Dad. Father God tells us what we shouldn’t do, but we often think stepping over that line will be okay. We don’t intend to go all the way to the fire—just a little bit closer. Nevertheless, that behavior puts us on the path of sin.

The biblical advice offered is the opposite of a Nike ad. Just don’t do it. Proverbs 4:14 says not to put your foot on the path at all. A first step leads to another step to get a little closer. Repeated steps eventually put us at a spiritual fire scene. But if we don’t set foot on that path to begin with, we avoid disaster entirely.

05/11/2026

05/09/2026

SOMEBODY’S WATCHING ME 👀
By Alice H. Murray

“The eyes of the LORD are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good.” Proverbs 15:3 (NIV)

Researching rubies to obtain information for an article I would be writing resulted in some disturbing results. Soon after finishing my research, I began receiving emails from jewelry companies promoting their beautiful ruby jewelry. Ads about such products also started popping up on my Facebook.

Were these communications coincidental? I think not. Why? Sadly, whatever I look up on the internet seems to haunt me in the form of ads connected to the subject. Someone or something (perhaps AI?) is keeping an eye on what I search online.

The situation reminded me of a hit song from 1984. Its lyrics included the catchy “I always feel like somebody’s watching me.” The quirky song brings a laugh, but it also speaks the truth. My actions are being watched, and not just on the internet. Someone is keeping an eye on me all the time. Who is that? Proverbs 15:3 tells us the Lord watches me and everyone else too.

Being watched was a disturbing thing to the character in the 1984 song. He was afraid to open his eyes in the shower for fear of seeing someone eyeing him. Modesty aside, some don’t want to be watched because they are doing something wrong and would prefer to do it in secret. But with the Lord that’s just not possible.

For me, always having the eyes of the Lord on me is a good thing. His constant attention evidences His concern for my well-being. Sure, He’ll see me mess up because I am human. But perhaps knowing God is aware of any action I take will encourage me to be more obedient to my Heavenly Father’s commands. That Somebody may be watching me, but I’m thankful God is watching out for me.

04/30/2026

UNSEEING EYES
By Alice H. Murray

“Do you have eyes but fail to see….” Mark 8:18a (NIV)

“Read the smallest line you can see on the eye chart,” the eye doctor instructed.

Laughing, I responded, “I can’t even see the E with this eye. I know there’s a chart on the wall, but I’m not able to distinguish any letters on it.”

This result wasn’t unexpected. My vision in that eye had been deteriorating, and I thought cataracts was the cause. The doctor confirmed my suspicion and began discussing eye surgery. He wanted me to see not only the eye chart but the details on it.

I’m not the only one who’s experienced eye problems. Jesus expressly discussed sight issues with His disciples. He noted in Mark 8:18 that they had eyes yet failed to see what was before them. These followers witnessed Jesus perform miracles such as feeding thousands but didn’t see that the same man could handle their present lack of food.

Jesus’ miracles were certainly much bigger and easier to see than an E on the eye chart. You couldn’t miss them! The disciples saw Jesus, but their view of Him was not in focus. These men failed to comprehend that, as God’s son, Jesus could solve any problem. Nothing is too difficult for Him.

Like the disciples, I suffer similar vision problems. My worldly perspective interferes with my spiritual vision. I fail to see God can take care of me in any situation. I have a fuzzy view of Him as the Almighty; however, I’m not able to discern details about His power. He’s like the blurry eye chart whose letters I cannot distinguish.

Surgery isn’t required to rectify my spiritual vision problem. I simply need to spend time with the Great Physician in prayer and Bible reading to improve it. And I don’t need an appointment to do so!

04/24/2026

EARTHLY TROPHY OR HEAVENLY TREASURE?
By Alice H. Murray

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven…” Matthew 6:19-20a (NIV)

Eagerly I scanned the list of names in the email. The communication announced the winners in a writing contest I’d entered. Where’s my name? I scrolled through the list of winners again to make sure I hadn’t missed it. Sadly, the second look merely confirmed I wasn’t in the winners’ group. My shoulders drooped, and a gloomy mindset overtook me.

To distract myself from the disappointment, I began reviewing emails. I didn’t recognize one sender’s name. Curious, I clicked on that email. A woman wrote that she felt compelled to contact me to say how much she loved my article in a Christian magazine. In her eighties, this reader wasn’t tech-savvy in the least. Sending me an e-mail proved a daunting task, she explained. The lady requested my permission to include the article in her church’s newsletter so others could be blessed by it.

My spirits lifted. My writing had impacted a reader! Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:19-20a came to mind. He doesn’t want my earthly aim to be accumulating treasures here, specifically trophies in book contests. Instead, He wants me to focus on using my words to point readers to God.

Trophies are merely temporary treasures. They may give brief satisfaction and feed our egos, but they’ll soon occupy a spot on a shelf collecting dust, mostly forgotten. Heavenly treasures, though, maintain eternal significance. We attain them by developing a personal relationship with God and impacting others for Him.

God emphasized the preferred treasure for me to pursue by the “coincidental” timing of an email. While earthly trophies may feed our egos, heavenly treasures warm God’s heart. Whose approval is more important to me? I aim to focus on receiving heavenly treasure over an earthly trophy going forward. And you?

04/13/2026

OPEN THE BOX
By Alice H. Murray

“…For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7b (NIV)

A delivery service dropped four boxes off at my house. While the plain, cardboard containers themselves didn’t stir my enthusiasm, I was thrilled over the treasure inside them. These drab boxes delivered copies of my latest book baby.

This exciting situation illustrated an important faith lesson for me. Certainly you've heard the expression "Don't judge a book by its cover." (How many times did I hear that from my mother?) Well, I shouldn't judge a box or anything else simply by its outward appearance. A boring brown box offered contents which were extremely positive and meaningful for me. What if I hadn’t opened the boxes based on their blah exterior? What joy I would have missed.

Boxes are one thing, but what about people? Do I judge them by a seemingly plain outside? A wealth of knowledge, experience, and love may be held inside. But dismissing them like I might a run-of-the mill shipping box based on a superficial appearance? Of what might I deprive myself? Some may view me like a plain box. Thankfully, I know someone of great importance who takes the time to look inside me. 1 Samuel 16:17 tells us God considers a man's heart, not his outward appearance. Our Heavenly Father exhibited doing so when He selected David, a young, smelly shepherd to be king. David’s older brothers may have had good looks and perhaps less smell, but David had a heart for God inside.

Knowing how God sees people combined my latest experience with boxes motivates me to peek inside human containers. Why not try opening these living "boxes" you encounter too? God just may have filled them with treasures for us to find therein.

03/23/2026

SEARCHING FOR THE LOST
By Alice H. Murray

“Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Doesn’t she light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it?... In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the pre- sence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” Luke 15:8, 10 (NIV)

Puzzle pieces for a beautiful, snowy Christmas scene occupied half our dining room table. The 1,000-piece jigsaw puzzle continually drew my husband and me to attempt to assemble it. We spent hours puzzling over how to fit the pieces together.

Upon the puzzle’s completion, to our dismay only 999 jigsaw pieces fit into place. Missing was piece #1,000. Although the finished work offered a lovely scene, we focused on that one spot devoid of a puzzle piece. So a great search began. We looked under the table, in the chairs, on nearby furniture, and behind the curtains to no avail. The final piece was MIA.

Our puzzle adventure, perhaps more of a misadventure, reminded me of the story in Luke 15:8-10. A woman possesses ten silver coins but loses one. She mounts an effort to find it by sweeping her house and searching carefully for it. The lesson, of course, points to the value God places on every person. He desires to be reconciled with each sinner. Nine hundred and ninety-nine out of 1,000 wouldn’t be sufficient for Him. He wants all 1,000.

While I view the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle as important to complete a pretty picture, do I consider those people missing from the picture of God’s family? Are my eyes open and searching for someone who is lost in sin and needs to be reconciled to their Heavenly Father? That search and rescue mission has eternal consequences far more important than completing a puzzle picture. While I’m still looking for piece #1,000 for our puzzle, I’m also intentionally surveying the world around me to find a missing piece in the picture of God’s family.

03/17/2026

STAY WITH ME
By Alice H. Murray

“And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;” John 14:16 (KJV)

My mother’s heart broke seeing my daughter in great pain lying in a bed in the hospital’s emergency department. I wanted to ease her pain, but I recognized I was helpless to do so. We simply had to wait for medical professionals who came in and out of the room checking vitals, giving her pain meds, and explaining test results.

Unsurprisingly, my daughter didn’t feel like talking. I felt guilty sitting by her bedside scrolling on my phone to pass the time. “Do you want me to stay?” I asked. “If you want to sleep, I can leave and return when you call me.”

Heather’s response came quickly. “No! Please just stay with me.” I recognized the biggest help I could be right then was to give her the comfort of my presence. Who doesn’t want their mother nearby when they aren’t feeling well? I couldn’t take my daughter’s pain away, but I could provide her with the recognition she wasn’t alone while experiencing a medical issue.

Our Heavenly Father also cares about His hurting children. He doesn’t want them to feel alone when facing life’s inevitable challenges. In fact, He doesn’t want them to feel that way any time. Jesus explained Father God’s plan to His disciples in John 14:16. God would provide them a Comforter, who we know is the Holy Spirit. This Comforter wouldn’t simply show up in a crisis. According to Jesus, the Holy Spirit will abide, meaning dwell, with us forever. He will never leave us.

What a comfort to know God doesn’t want us to feel alone and has provided a way to avoid that situation. The aptly named Comforter is here to stay with me and all believers.

03/10/2026

🕯BURN YOUR PRETTY CANDLES 🕯
By Alice H. Murray

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 (KJV)

Now over, the Christmas season still lingered in our memories. Members of our Sunday school class sat around a table sharing sounds, sights, and events they’d enjoyed. One couple relished spending time with their adult son in a distant city. Another gushed over the meaningful and gorgeous music at our church choir’s Christmas concert. Someone else felt blessed to hear laughter during a visit with their grandchildren.

My husband and I hadn’t gone anywhere for Christmas. Delightfully, our holiday was as calm and peaceful as one depicted in “Silent Night.” I commented that we especially enjoyed lighting candles in the evening and basking in their glow. But some candles, I remarked, were just too pretty to light and allow them to burn down. In response, a fellow class member said she’d always been told “Life is too short not to burn your pretty candles.”

My mind then asked me, “What Would Jesus Do?” The answer? A no-brainer. He’d light those pretty candles! Jesus’ teachings referenced candles. In Matthew 5:16, He urged His followers to let their light so shine before men that God would be glorified. Logically, these words mean Christians are candles which should be burning with the light of His salvation, love, and presence. Heeding the Great Commission requires a lit flame.

Some believers shy away from exhibiting a flame for those around them to see. Why? They fear becoming less beautiful through rejection by non-believers. These Christians are more concerned about their worldly appearance to others when spreading light than the purpose of a candle. God’s focus is the light Christians produce as His beautiful candles reflecting Him. So, let’s burn our pretty candles and fulfill our purpose.

03/01/2026

WHAT ARE YOU HERE FOR?
By Alice H. Murray

“let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us” Hebrews 12:1 (NIV)

A large, merry crowd gathered for the 5K Jingle Bell Run. Racers and their supporters wore seasonally themed attire such as Santa socks, ugly Christmas sweaters, and headgear resembling reindeer antlers. Clad in a Christmas sweatshirt and Santa hat, I eagerly awaited my grandson’s dash down the road.

Looking at Liam, though, no one would know this race occurred during the Christmas season. He wore his usual running shorts, shoes, and plain shirt with his clothing giving no hint of the time of year. I offered him my Santa hat to wear during the race. With disgust he responded, “I here to COMPETE, not to have fun.”

When I recounted this exchange to a runner friend, she agreed with Liam’s position. She noted she’d never worn hats, funky socks, or tutus in any race. “They just slow you down,” my friend commented.

While not a runner, I am a Christian. Therefore, as Hebrews 12:1 indicates, I am in a faith race God has set before me. Sparkly things like material possessions, career success, and financial security distract me from that assignment. They cannot be the priority. My focus must be on completing my designated race, not on fun things that entangle and bog me down.

God put me here to finish the course, and running that race entails perseverance. Liam crossed the finish line of the Christmas 5K as one of the top competitors. He’d given the race his all and immediately flopped down on the grass in exhaustion. I was so proud of him and couldn’t have cared less what he wore to run. I want my Heavenly Father to feel the same way about me. I am on Earth to race for Him, not simply to have fun.