It's a New Day! It's a New Year!

Wondering where 2013 went was where I began with my annual Christmas Poem. How is it that the 365 days we are given in one year fly by so fast? Wasn't it only yesterday that we were looking ahead to 2013 with high hopes and visions of what we could accomplish? Yet, we come to it's end and feel a let down because we realize we let many opportunities slip and as a result, have not yet seen those hopes and visions come to fruition. Perhaps all is not as it seems... perhaps some of our problem is our perception. We seem to have extremely narrow vision; mostly, it's an inward, "me" focus. As the old saying goes, "We can't see the forest for the trees."

Gaining a broader, wider view forces us to step back, to step up to a higher level. When all is said and done, the only perspective that truly matters is God's. We will be judged according to His set of books; not ours, and not anyone else's. At this transition between what's past and what's to come, I have tried to utilize my own "present" realities as a stepping stone; to stand on them and rethink them as manifestations of how God has brought me to this point in life.

I suppose age has something to do with it, because length of days reveals the aging process not only works on you, it's also working on your children and grandchildren. Both of my daughters are now in their forties. My oldest grandson has just graduated from Marine Basic Training. My youngest grandchild will soon be eight years old. I see signs of wear and tear in my own body as recently as yesterday, when an update of my medical records notified me that I have no less than eleven health issues, most of which are not serious, (thankfully,) but three of them bear close attention and affect multiple areas of my life, including my mobility.

From strong and able to do just about anything I set my mind to just a few years ago, to a cane, a walker, and a wheelchair betimes is a rude awakening to the unrelenting process of aging. Thankfully, the Lord has been right here throughout. He awakens me in the morning with songs and verses of Scripture that bring comfort and joy. He gives me thoughts that turn into letters and articles; words of encouragement for others. He gives me His grace and the strength to be faithful in my responsibilities. My children and grandchildren are learning and growing in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ - I see this and feel an overwhelming sense of peace and great joy, knowing He is able to complete the work He began - not only in me, but in them also. This realization has me looking forward with great hope to 2014.

Happy New Year!
Maranatha!

Cheap Grace

Note: This is a direct quote from the writings of Dietrich Bonhoffer. In these days of "easy believe-ism," it seems important to re-examine this thought and ponder on it's significance...

   "Cheap grace means grace alone does everything, and so, everything can remain as it was before. Let the Christian live like the rest of the world, let him model himself after the world's standards. Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance.
   Costly grace is the treasure hidden in a field. It is the kingly rule of Christ. Costly grace is the Gospel which must be sought again and again, the gift which must be asked for, the door at which one must knock.
   Such grace is costly because it calls us to follow, and it is grace because it calls us to follow Jesus Christ. It is costly because it costs a man his life, and it is grace because it gives a man the only true life..."

~ Dietrich Bonhoffer

"Kinnee-isms"

• God will let you have your way if you insist: that's free will. But He doesn't have to bless it.
• It's never good to seek for flaws, foibles, lapses, and sundry "motes." The "beams" will trip you every time.
• Can you love your world the way God loves the world? "God so loved that He gave..." Jesus said, "Freely you have received, freely give." Give your world Jesus!
• At the end of his days, every man receives an "Amen!" (which means "so be it"). Only the "willing and obedient" also hear, "Well done!" (See Ecclesiastes 11:3b; and Matthew 25:21.)

Praiseworthy Works

Text: Psalm 111

"Praise ye the LORD. I will praise the LORD with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation." From the outset, the psalmist encourages himself by taking the best of positions. Verse by verse, he describes God's wonderful works and provides indisputable evidence as to why we should praise and worship our God. If you're looking for some praiseworthy reasons, meditate on Psalm 111. You'll come away with a song in your heart and praise on your lips. He alone is worthy!

• The works of the LORD are great (verse 2) - Seek them out. [Look for them.] Take pleasure in them. [Songs: "I Will Dwell in the House of the Lord For Ever" and, "Bless the LORD, O My Soul"]
• The works of the LORD are honorable and glorious (verse 3) - His righteousness endures for ever. [Songs: "God is Great and Greatly to Be Praised" and, "Giving Glory and Honor to Jesus"]
• His works are to be remembered (verses 4-5) - The LORD is gracious and full of compassion. He gives meat to them that fear Him. He is ever mindful of His covenant. [Songs: "When I Think on the Goodness of Jesus" and, "Think About His Love"]
• He shows His people the power of His works (verse 6) - He gives His people the heritage of the heathen. [Songs: "Victory, Victory Shall Be Mine" and, "Shout with the Voice of Triumph" and, "The LORD is My Light and My Salvation" (Psalm 27:1)]
• The works of His hands are verity [truth] and judgment (verses 7-8) - His commandments are sure. They stand fast for ever and ever. They are done in truth and uprightness. [Songs: "Battle Hymn of the Republic" - (verse 3 and chorus,) and, "Standing on the Promises"]
• He sent redemption to His people (verse 9) - He hath commanded His covenant for ever. Holy and reverend is His Name - Jesus! [Songs: "I Will Sing of My Redeemer" and, "There is No Other Name"]
• The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom (verse 10) - Doing His commandments [obeying them] brings good understanding. His praise endures for ever! [Songs: "Trust and Obey" and, "Trust in the LORD with All Thine Heart" (Proverbs 3:5-6)]

Be blessed and encouraged as you meditate on His Word.

"Oh that men would praise the LORD for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men!" (Psalm 107:8)

"Many, O LORD my God, are Thy wonderful works which Thou hast done, and Thy thoughts which are to usward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto Thee: if I would declate and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered." (Psalm 40:5)

"We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and His strength, and His wonderful works that He hath done." (Psalm 78:4)

"He hath made His wonderful works to be remembered: the LORD is gracious and full of compassion." (Psalm 111:4)
  

When Grace Appears

Text: "And now for a little space grace hath been shewed from the LORD our God, to leave us a remnant to escape, and to give us a nail in His holy place, that our God may lighten our eyes, and give us a little reviving in our bondage." (Ezra 9:8)

The word grace in the Old Testament was used more to describe man's activities than God's. Multiple times we read how individuals wanted to find grace in the sight of another pertaining to some request they'd made. But their understanding of grace from God was narrow at best. Ezra's prayer of repentance for his nation and himself is the first to mention grace from God. Later, Zechariah prophesied of the grace to come. "And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon Me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for Him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for Him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn." (Zechariah 12:10)

But grace (as we perceive it today,) appeared with the New Testament revelation of Jesus Christ. "And of His fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ." (John 1:16-17) Since then, "...the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men." (Titus 2:11)

When grace appears... we are justified freely, (Romans 3:24) we access it by faith, (Romans 5:2) it is God's, and the gift of His grace is Jesus Christ. (Romans 5:15)

When grace appears... it calls us, (Galatians 1:6,15) it comes in abundance and brings the gift of righteousness, (Romans 5:17) it abounds, far surpassing the power of sin and death, (Romans 5:20) and it reigns through righteousness unto eternal life. (Romans 5:21)

When grace appears...  its abundance makes our hearts thankful, and, through our thanksgiving, redounds to the glory of God. (II Corinthians 4:15)

When grace appears... we receive everlasting consolation and good hope. (II Thessalonians 2:16)

When grace appears... we can come boldly to the Throne of grace and find grace to help in our time of need. (Hebrews 4:16)

When grace appears... it's a never-ending supply, there's always more where that came from! (James 4:6)

When grace appears... it is sufficient to meet our need. (II Corinthians 12:9)

When grace appears... it keeps on working, all the way to the end, and will be there when you see Jesus in all His glory. (I Peter 1:13)

When grace appears... it, with peace, is a multiplier; (II Peter 1:2) you can grow in it. (II Peter 3:18)

Cautions concerning grace... receive not the grace of God in vain, (II Corinthians 6:1) do not frustrate the grace of God, (Galatians 2:21) if you think you are justified by the law, Christ has become of no effect unto you, you have fallen from grace. (Galatians 5:4)

Re-Thinking "Oh, Moanie Me!"

I've been dealing with a physical dilemma since July of 2008. Like quicksand, it's affected so many things in my life; my body, aches and pains, mobility, mood, and my livelihood (forcing early retirement). What's more, the sheer length of time involved has been an additional drag. Seems like everything I've always loved to do is in a holding pattern. Painful days have found me limping and gimping around the house and anywhere else. From some unknown somewhere, I picked up a little saying, "Oh, moanie me!" Believe me, it got frequent use.

Then, I realized the "Oh, moanie me's" I've immersed myself in are counter-productive. I'm all too aware of how long I've been in this case, but I'm seeing that dwelling on that aspect only hinders progress in other, more needful areas. All this came in the course of, and as a result of a couple of week's study and ponderfication on the Adult SS lesson I taught yesterday (March 25th) - "The Prayer of Moses." (Psalm 90).

Condensed; God is our Dwelling Place, our Refuge and Shelter, our Portion, and our Reward - there is no safer place to be - it is enough! HE is enough! Wow!

This may seem like no big revelation, sort of a "Duh!"; but when I applied it to my own situation it was like a light suddenly came on in a dark room. If my life exists, consists, and is wrapped up in HIM, I am rich beyond compare - my current (temporal) condition/situation has no bearing on that reality.

Think about it! HE is both Author and Finisher of our faith. "HE who began a good work in you will perform it until the day..." Seeing that in the abstract is way different than perceiving its specific application. It has nothing to do with so-called "eternal security." It has everything to do with Who and What HE is! My circumstances, uncomfortable and difficult though they may be, cannot deplete HIM. I needed to once again realize it never has been, isn't now, and never will be my own grace or strength... Thousands of years ago, Moses knew and fleshed this out in life and in his prayer - the 90th Psalm. Meditating on his perspective brought me to a need to re-commit my life, my health, my hopes, my aspirations - and wrap them all up in HIM.

And as to any current dilemma/s, HIS Word says, "MY grace is sufficient - MY strength is made perfect in [your] weakness," (Okay - I think I've got my part of that equation pretty well covered.)

P.S. I know I may be preaching to the choir on this. Still, it's been an exciting weekend - even had the opportunity to back up what I've said herein with a public declaration/testimony last night during service. Hmm... Here's a bonus thought: It appears there's something very important about making an open statement for which you can be held accountable. Here's a well-known example. After posting his 95 Thesis, Martin Luther was required to defend himself. During that trial, he said, "Here I stand, I can do no other."

Next time you commit or re-commit something to God, tell somebody about it. That's what I just did!

Gathering Our Thoughts

We live in a fractured world. Current happenings conspire on a daily basis, keeping our minds so occupied with the here and now that we have no time (or even the inclination,) to ponder much of anything past the present moment. Conider these...

• sound bytes, newsflashes, 15-second commercials, abrupt segues, streaming, tweets, the internet,
• multi-tasking, cellphones, call-waiting, crowded/conflicting schedules, the tyrany of the urgent,
• media blitzkrieg, assaults on the senses; eyes, ears, nose, tastes, touch, distracted thinking, 
• double-speak, hidden agendas, mind games, political correctness, 
• catastrophic events, disasters, and tragedies occuring simultaneously around the world,
• nature's rampages; earthquakes, hurricanes, pestilences, tornadoes, tsunamis, typhoons, volcanoes,
• man's rampages; crime, hatred, predators, revolts, riots, suicide-bombers/bombings, vengeance, violence, wars and rumors of wars...

What a list! Some days go by so quickly it seems we only just got up and here, it's way past time to go to bed again. Our days are crowded with appointments and deadlines, to-do lists and schedules - and woe be to the interruption or the interruptor. Long lines, traffic jams, road rage, reckless drivers, computer glitches, and the ever-present unexpected spoil the moment and, if allowed, can derail the whole day. We run ourselves ragged until we fall into bed exhausted and then sleep poorly because our mind is too busy with the day past and the day coming to get its needed rest. That's just in the physical - think about how all this busy-ness affects our spiritual man!

From the beginning, this rat-race mentality was never God's intent. And while He knows the circumstances of this present world, it is still not His intent for us. He told His disciples, "Come ye apart and rest a while." He spoke to us all when He said, "Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30)

Tom Fred Tenney said, "Keep the main thing the main thing." Therein lies the key! A magazine article entitled, "Must.Focus" listed five reasons for distracted thoughts; 1.) Stress, 2.) Multi-tasking, 3.) Life change, 4.) Getting older, and, 5.) Too much on my plate. [Source: Ladies Home Journal,"Must.Focus," December 2011/January 2012, pg. 54.]  The author said sensory overloads are common today. So much so that a national magazine considered it a worthwhile topic. We all get into trouble when our priorities schedule us. What we should be doing is scheduling our priorities. This is not just a semantic difference.

"The tyrany of the urgent" is mentioned in the bullet list following the first paragraph. Urgent, my friend, does not mean what we seem to think it means. Urgent is not an emergency! It may be important, but it's not life or death. Too many times we allow what is merely urgent to usurp the crucial. An old song says, "...for one-hundred years from now, it won't matter anyhow..." It's the truth! In the light of the eternal, Adam's walks and talks with God in the cool of the day were far more important than the momentary pleasure of forbidden fruit. That one choice changed everything; yet, nothing changed - for that same choice sits before us today.

Where are our priorities? Are they temporal? or eternal? after the flesh? or after the Spirit? When our priorities are set, our choices align themselves accordingly (and our "to do" list will follow suit). Daniel "purposed in his heart not to defile himself..." That purpose affected the rest of his life. Rehoboam was the last king of all Israel (the twelve tribes). Grandson of David, son of the wisest man who ever lived, yet he did not "prepare his heart to seek the LORD." That choice made all the difference - and as a result, Rehoboam lost it all! [See Daniel 1:8; & II Chronicles 12:13-14.]

Now more than ever, we need to gather our thoughts, prepare our mind, purpose in our heart, and focus our attention on what's truly important. Majoring in minors is a tool used by both the flesh and the enemy. Jesus said tithing of mint, anise, and cummin (seeds) wasn't wrong, but omitting the weightier matters, (justice, mercy, the love of God and your fellow-man,) was a critical error. When our mind is preoccupied with the mundane, it can't recognize the glimpses of glory God sends our way. Distracted thinking prevents us from gathering our thoughts and lofting them into eternity's flow.

Here's the remedy...

• "Let [allow/permit] this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus..." (Philippans 2:5)
• "Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;" (I Peter 1:13, see also 14-16.)
• "Casting down imaginations, and every high thing [every misplaced priority] that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;" (II Corinthians 10:5)
• "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee."   (Isaiah 26:3)
• "Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth." (Colossians 3:2)
• "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." (Philippians 4:8)

.On Suffering and Death...

Seeing Job's suffering, his friends were convinced there was a reason for it. Clearly, he must have done something, said something, and/or thought something evil to bring all these awful things on himself. Their conviction was such that when Job claimed innocence, they became frustrated, grew angry, and berated him.

That kind of thinking was evident during Jesus' ministry as well, because his disciples asked, "Who did sin? this man, or his parents that he was born blind?" (John 9:2) What's more, even today such thinking persists. Our humanity tends to view pain, suffering, and disease as punishment - that the sufferer is reaping what he or she has sown. However, Jesus made it clear this was not the case. While, yes, we can by careless living, set up conditions for a disease process in our body, (e.g. cirrhosis of the liver, clogged arteries, diabetes, [Type II,] STD's, etc.,) there is a promise of healing, even in such cases. (See James 5:14-15.)

But this brings us to questions about unthinkable suffering - suffering that strikes suddenly and/or suffering that continues over a long period of time. Some examples come easily to mind...

• a friend and mentor who suffered agonizing pain as a result of a horrific automobile accident, 
• another friend and mentor who struggled for many pain-filled years with rheumatoid arthritis, 
• a friend who is dealing with continual setbacks in his fight against a variety of diseases including cancer. (When asked about why he thought he was going through all this, he was heard to answer, "Well, the Bible says the rain falls on the just and the unjust.") 
• a young friend whose cancer struck suddenly and was so invasive it surged through his body, killing him within a week of its discovery, 
• a young father of two toddlers learned he had colon cancer, and died in less than eight months.
• a child, four years old, has had intimate knowledge of hospitals, doctors, nurses, and pain since birth - and her parents have suffered right along with her,
• even now, a precious, respected woman of God is in intractable pain due to invasive cancer. 

What then? Is there a lack of faith in the sufferer? In those that pray? Is God not listening for some unknown reason? Are such calamities the result of someone's sin? Jesus answered the disciples' question, "Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him." (John 9:3) For both Job and the blind man, God had a greater purpose; one that transcended their current dilemmas and ultimately, brought glory to God. We don't know how long Job's suffering lasted, but the blind man had been so all his life and was now a full grown man. In both of these cases, healing came; and along with it, revelation and greater understanding of God and His ways.

What about when healing doesn't come? Does lengthy suffering mean God is out of the healing business? Here's what Job has to say about suffering...

• "...the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the Name of the LORD." (1:21)
• "...What? Shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?..." (2:10)
• "Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him..." (13:15a)
• "For there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that the tender branch thereof will not cease. Though the root thereof wax old in the earth, and the stock thereof die in the ground; Yet through the scent of water it will bud, and bring forth boughs like a plant." (14:7-9)
• "If a man die, shall he live again? All the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come." (14:14)
• "For I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And [though] after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me." (19:25-27)
• "But He knoweth the way that I take: when He hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold."  (23:10-12)

And what about when death comes? Does it negate the promises of God? Paul asked, "O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?" then answered his own questions this way... "The sting of death [is] sin; and the strength of sin the law." (I Corinthians 15:55-56) Verses 57 and 58 go on to proclaim victory through our Lord Jesus Christ and encourages us to be "stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord," and to "know that" our "labour is not in vain in the Lord." Listed below are several Scriptures which speak for themselves. I pray they will give you food for thought and allow you to step back, gain a greater perspective, and a clearer understanding...

• "Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints." (Psalm 116:15)
• "He shall redeem their soul from deceit and violence: and precious shall be their blood in His sight." (Psalm 72:14)
• "The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart: and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come. He shall enter into peace: they shall rest in their beds, each one walking in his uprightness." (Isaiah 57:1-2)
• "A good name is better than precious ointment: and the day of death than the day of one's birth." (Ecclesiastes 7:1)
• "...and if the tree falleth toward the south, or toward the north, in the place where the tree falleth, there it shall be." (Ecclesiastes 11:3b) [See also Revelation 22:11.]
• "And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead, which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them."(Revelation 14:13)
• Jesus said, "Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30)
• "In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet of God shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. ...So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory!" (I Corinthians 15:52-55)  

God's "If Only..."

Text: Psalm 81:8-16

God says, "Hear, O My people, and I will testify unto thee: O Israel, if thou wilt hearken unto Me." One of God's characteristics is that He is oh, so willing to make Himself know. He tells plainly what He thinks and feels, leaving no room for doubt or uncertainty. Here, in Psalm 81, He opens the record for all to read and understand.

First, He reiterated the commandment, "There shall no strange god be in thee, neither shalt thou worship any strange god. I AM the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt: open thy mouth wide and I will fill it." (verses 9-10*) This last clause contains an amazing promise; one that was fulfilled repeatedly throughout their desert wanderings, was continually fulfilled throughout Old Testament history, and referred prophetically to the initial Holy Ghost outpouring on the Day of Pentecost and on every believer since.

Then comes the indictment: "But My people would not hearken to My voice; and Israel would have none of Me." (verse 11) Eighteen hundred years later, they were still not willing to hearken and heed, for Jesus said, "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!" (Matthew 23:37; see also Luke 19:42.)

And the consequences... "So I gave them up unto their own hearts' lust: and they walked in their own counsels." (verse 12) Jesus' revealed the overarching result... "Behold, your house is left unto you desolate, For I say unto you, Ye shall not see Me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord." (Matthew 23:38-39) Luke says, "...but now they are hid from thine eyes." (Luke 19:42b)

But! His desire, plan, and hope resounded in His reponse... "Oh that My people had hearkened unto Me, and Israel had walked in My ways!" (verse 13)

Here's what they could have had, if only...

• I should have subdued their enemies and turned My hand against their adversaries.
• The haters of God should have submitted unto Him.
• Their [Israel's] time should have endured for ever.
• He should have fed them with the finest of the wheat.* (See verse 10b.)
• With honey out of the rock should I have satisfied thee.

This is what God wanted to do! Imagine His frustration! Just think about how these promise would have played out in Israel's history - the ramifications are enormous! Then, bring those thoughts up to date - think again - on how they affect His Kingdom, (the Church,) eternity, and you and I individually.

"O that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end." (Deuteronomy 32:29)

God's "If only" echoes down through history, breathing a wondrous promise to all who will turn their eyes and ears toward Him in willing obedience. (See Isaiah 1: 19-20.) When conviction brings true repentance; reconciliation, and restoration follow, bringing with them the exceeding, precious promised fulfillment of God's plan and purpose - for us individually, and for His glorious Bride. (See II Chronicles 7:14.)

Pastor/Shepherd

Pastor or shepherd, they're one and the same,

They take care of "sheep" and call them by name.

They feed the flock, lead them where they should go;

They guard them from danger, what e'er be the foe.

They know where the water runs cool and deep;

Where the grass is green, and the clover is sweet.

They lead, they don't drive - sheep follow by choice;

They only will listen to their shepherd's voice.

A shepherd keeps watch through dark, stormy nights;

When an enemy attacks, he stands up and fights.

Sheep tend to wander, and wander they will;

But shepherds seek the lost, o'er valley and hill.

Shepherds give from a heart overflowing,

And sheep are content because they are knowing...

They're safe in the care of a shepherd who's faithful;

Comfort like this makes the sheep truly grateful!

~ Marjorie Kinnee
June 20, 2010

Signature Scent...

God has a signature scent, one that's associated with His very essence. If you spend time in His presence, you know that His love poured out on your soul heightens and affects every one of your senses. Even as a child in an Apostolic church, I remember times when worship rising from the people of God mingled with a blue-ish haze that filled the sanctuary. It was visible, tangible, audible and breathable; satisfying even the taste buds. During these times it was easy to see why the Psalmist said, "O taste and see that the Lord is good!"

In the instructions God gave for the building of the Tabernacle and the gathering of all the things that were to be used in its service, we learn the composition of the fragrance that was to be particularly His. (See Exodus 30.) Associated with burnt offerings and as a holy, anointing oil, these were special recipes - guarded and handed down from generation to generation of priests, only the sons of Aaron could prepare them. They were not to be replicated or used for any other purpose that to be a sweet fragrance to God.

Later, in the Psalms, He let us know our praise and worship is also a sweet savor. God treasures and stores these times of communion. As they fill our hearts, they rise up into His nostrils and prompt Him to pour out many rich treasures and blessings from His vast storehouse. He places great value on obedience, which to Him is more important than even a costly sacrifice. Thus, obedience becomes a vital ingredient in the aroma of wholehearted worship.

This pleasing aroma flows both ways. His presence fills the hungry heart with good things. And His heart is thrilled and leans close to enjoy the lifting of holy hands and hearts heavenward. Praise, worship, sacrifice, and willing offerings are key ingredients of the aroma that pleases the heart of God. Best activated by a close relationship with Him, the word, communion, is an accurate description of what happens when God and man are in sweet fellowship. Before he was saved, the Gentile centurion, Cornelius' steady offerings had piled up into the heavens as a memorial to a man who was seeking after God. Evidently, God couldn't resist Cornelius' hunger. Drawn like a magnet to steel, He dispatched an angel, dealt strongly with the man of God, and opened a new dispensation - all to meet Cornelius' need.

This begs three questions... 1.) What kind of fragrance pleases God? And, 2.) How is it released?

The thing that triggers the release of this fragrance into the presence of God (and others) is brokenness.

• When the circumstances of his life broke Joseph again and again, the result was not bitterness, but the realization that God was in the breaking and used it in the blessing that followed.
• When the woman broke her alabaster box of fragrance over the feet of Jesus, the aroma filled the room, speaking not only of His suffering, but of her adoration and thankful heart.
• When Jesus broke and blessed the little - five loaves and two fish - He gave it to His disciples, who distributed it (in a pattern of what would follow,) and the hunger of many was satisfied.
• And when the sinless body of Jesus was broken and freely offered, it resulted in the salvation of the world!
• Your brokenness allows the perfume of God's presence to fill your world and become a precious ointment that testifies... "O taste and see that the Lord is good... He satisfies the hungry heart... He makes broken things every whit whole..." and releases an irresistably sweet aroma.

The aroma of fresh-baked bread or a hot apple pie triggers mouth-watering images of good things nearby. No wonder God uses this analogy to illustrate both the hunger our heart and His ability to satisfy all who hunger and thirst after His righteousness. His promise is, "they shall be filled!" The question has never been can He? or even will He? The only remaining question has to do with me and you...

3.) What kind of odor does my life present to God - and to others?

• Am I like the children of Israel in the wilderness who frustrated Him with their complaints and murmurings?
• Am I like King David who knew how - and gladly worshiped God with all his heart, mind, soul, and strength?
• Have I gone after other gods and other loves, replacing the devotion I owe him for all His kindness, mercy and benefits with a not so secret wandering eye?
• Am I like Josiah, who saw his failures in the Word and turned himself and everyone around him back to God?
• Do my lips say one thing - and my heart, mind, and actions say something else entirely?
• Or am I like Daniel and his three young friends who purposed in their heart that no matter what, everything they did was going to be God's way and for His glory?

I too have a signature scent. The odor I present to God and to those around me is based on the choices I make. It's a unique recipe I put together every day I live. If I choose to please myself; my flesh, its desires and agenda, if I seek after the things of this world and its system - my recipe becomes a stench in His nostrils and to those around me.

But if I choose to please Him and to set my heart and mind on heavenly things; it brings glory to God and makes my world more aware of Him and His goodness. I become a living testimony, and a catalyst of His redemptive plan.

Either way, this "signature scent" reminds Him of what He did at Calvary! (See II Corinthians 2:15.) Disobedience crucifies Him afresh, makes His sacrifice of no effect. But if my choices are born of a willing, obedient heart - the result is:

• an odor that is pleasing to Him,
• the joy of His salvation,
• His smile of approval, and,
• an irresistable force that moves the most obstinate of obstacles!

There is coming a day and a place when and where the fragrance of His joy and ours will combine into a holy, sweet incense, a perfume that will permeate heaven's atmosphere with a communion more perfect and complete than mortal senses can even imagine. We in Him and Him in us! Praise perfected! (No wonder worship is the most heavenly of occupations.) That day will be glorious indeed. But until then - every day - we're putting together our signature scent; the fragrance by which we'll be known throughout eternity!

Note: This thought was inspired by a recent Our Daily Bread devotion.

Just Thinking About Ice

It's winter in Michigan. The snow is falling, temperatures are well below freezing and there's an ice dam forming on the eaves of my roof. If it stays cold the ice dam will grow. When the sun comes out, it's insidious icy fingers will wedge their way under the shingles and as it re-freezes it will wreak havoc on what's underneath. The thing is - ice is so neat when you're skating on it or watching it form patterns on your windows, but it's tricky if you're walking on it or trying to drive over it. I've watched folks slip and fall - they were briefly in the most ludicrous positions before landing. Some got up, looked around to see who was watching, dusted themselves off and continued on their way. Others couldn't get up without help; I know...

One February, I was visiting with my brother and sister-in-law. An ice storm outside had turned their sidewalk into a sheet of wet glass. Taking a deep breath, I braced myself by holding on to the porch pillar and stepped down. How futile! In a flash, I hit the porch, Bang! - and continued sliding... Thump! Off the porch and onto the slippery, wet and oh so cold cement. I couldn't get up. Icy rain soaked my hatless head, coat and clothes. My brother tried to help but couldn't haul on me and keep his footing too. Then my quick-thinking sister-in-law turned, ran into the house and brought out a beautiful Turkish rug, tossing it onto the icy cement. By standing on it, my brother was able to help me to my feet and I gingerly made my way home. Within a couple of days, black and blue was the color of an unbelieveable portion of my back and I was stiff for days!

Now in the summer, ice is a welcome addition to water, tea or lemonade. You want it in the cooler when you're on a picnic. You'll freeze your fruit drink to help keep the food in your lunch box cold - and a bucket full of ice graces most every party.

Got to thinking on these things... Ice is the common denominator, yes, yet how welcome it is depends on what's going on around the ice. Inside a heated house, with a good book, a cup of hot chocolate and a glowing fireplace; the ice outside is pretty to look at but not much of a threat. However, when folks are outside, they hurry. The wind chill, temperature and what's happening with the weather (ice storm, freezing rain, sleet, or snow,) focuses their attention on getting indoors. Here's the remarkable part - the same ice that terrifies us in the winter is a welcome addition to summer fun. Speaks volumes about environment and attitude doesn't it?

Job said, "...as the stream of brook they pass away; which are blackish by reason of the ice, wherein the snow is hid. What time they wax warm, they vanish: when it is hot, they are consumed out of their place. The paths of their way are turned aside; they go to nothing, and perish." (Job 6:15-17) "Out of whose womb came the ice? And the hoary frost of heaven, who hath gendered it? The waters are hid as a stone, and the face of the deep is frozen." (Job 38:29-30)

The psalmist said, "He giveth snow like wool: He scattereth the hoarfrost like ashes. He casteth forth His ice like morsels: who can stand before His cold? He sendeth out His Word, and melteth them: He causeth His wind to blow, the waters flow." (Psalm 147:16-18)

Ice may be an adversary or a friend - it depends on where you are and what you're doing when you encounter it.