Heaven's Scent

 "What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived the things God has prepared for those who love him."                       1 Corinthians 2:9

    Though the day was briskly cold, I determined to walk to the lagoons anyway. To my delight, along the way was a gift from my Creator - a fragrant bouquet of dark violet lilacs in full bloom. As I paused to graciously receive this aromatic blessing, I wondered about the scents of heaven. 

    Our eyes shall behold the promised Holy City, coming down in all its brilliance like that of a very precious jewel. In our ears will reverberate the din of the multitude, like the roar of Niagara with loud peals of thunder and shouts of Hallelujah. 

    But what treats await our olfactory senses? 

    When I was a child, my family loved to dine on the back porch where the summery aromas of the honeysuckle vine overpowered any culinary offerings. This sweet scent spurs memories of long ago with such clarity that the passage of years evaporates, and suddenly I am there once more.

    I hope heaven smells like that, and I am quite confident it will. The God who infuses our earthly home with whiffs of jasmine or the glories of gardenia will most certainly satiate our senses with the richest of aromas in our new abode. 

    Such an anticipation is heaven sent.

"Blessed are those you choose and bring near to live in your courts! We are filled with the good things of your house, of your holy temple." Psalm 65:4

    

Glass Houses

 Jesus said, "'Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.' 

    At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there.

    Jesus straightened up and asked her, 'Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?'

    'No one, sir,' she said.

    'Then neither do I condemn you,' Jesus declared. 'Go now and leave your life of sin.'" John 8: 7-11

    In our local paper, on the front page, there was a report of a woman I knew some years ago. It surprised me to learn she had been convicted of theft.

    It pleases me none to say my immediate thought was to call so-and-so and spread the news. After all, she was fair game, being in the paper and all. Thankfully, the Holy Spirit reminded me to have compassion on her. What if a sin of mine was posted for all to see? 

    Perhaps you have heard of this proverb, "Those who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones." Though Solomon did not write this, its premise is biblical, hearkening back to the woman who was caught in the act of adultery. She was front page news as her accusers dragged her before Jesus for all to see, demanding she be stoned in payment for her deed (as quoted above).

    Indeed, God's word says, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," and "The wages of sin is death." (Romans 3: 23, 6:23) However, before you slump in dejection as the memory of your sins weighs upon you, finish reading these verses!

    "...for all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Jesus Christ." and " ...but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

    Obviously, sin is not okay with God since the Lord caused his only Son to suffer as our sacrifice. "The punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed." (Isaiah 53:5) That is the very essence of the Good News.

    We all live in glass houses. When we see another stumble in the chains of slavery to sin, let's remember to pray for that person to meet the One who has the power to break those chains.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him. Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God's one and only Son. This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God." John 3:16-21

  

Even There

 "Even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast." Psalm 139:10

    One of the perks of being a senior is having a colonoscopy.

    Of course, I am speaking facetiously since the entire procedure (for me) is akin to having a hood placed over my head as I am led to the gallows. Yes, yes, I know it's for my benefit and all that, but I am a coward when faced with all things medical.

    To enlighten those who may not have participated in this experience, the preparations leading up to this rather odious screening of one's colon involves a gradual weaning of the very sustenance that keeps one alive, that is food and water, so that, in the final six hours, not even an ice chip may pass one's lips. 

    So, it was in this very weakened, sleepless condition that I entered the doors of the endoscopy clinic. Upon arrival, a cloud of angst settled 'round me like a raiment of doom. It didn't help matters when the receptionist quizzed me about having a "Do Not Resuscitate" order on file. By the time I was ushered behind the curtain, fear had so fully engulfed me that I timidly asked the nurse in a thin voice, "How many people have died on the table in this place?"

    She calmly assured me of the rare occurrence of that particular danger. As she turned my right arm to administer my IV, she commented on my tattoo which bears the reference of my life verse, Isaiah 41:10. "So do not fear," I began to recite, "for I am with you..." The nurse smiled in full acknowledgment, assuring me she also knew that verse. 

    Ah, the words of the Lord that are "sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb" (Psalm 19:10) coursed through my veins, bringing His strength and peace. The Holy Spirit within reminded me to "Consider Him who endured such opposition." Thoughts of my Jesus, who went forty days and nights without sustenance in the desert of temptation, was tended by the angels when it was all over. I knew He tended to my needs as well. 

    Is God present in an endoscopy clinic? Yes! Even there. I can attest to it.

    Feeling much better the following day, I opened my Bible and randomly selected a Psalm where David's words, penned to God while in the Desert of Judah, became my own:

"You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you. I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water. I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory. Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips I will praise you. On my bed I will remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night. Because you are my help, I will sing in the shadow of your wings. I cling to you; your right hand upholds me." (Psalm 63: 1-8) 

    

    

The Story of My Life

 "And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." Hebrews 12: 1-3

    One of my favorite genres of literature is biography; it appeals to my nosy nature. Currently, I am reading, "Johnny Cash: the Redemption of an American Icon." Written after his death, the author must rely upon personal interviews and glean recorded accounts, citing references along the way. Had Cash written his own story, it would have been an autobiography.

    Who is writing the story of my life?

    When I became a Christian, my account went from being autobiographical to a most interesting biography - one I could never have hoped to pen myself. When I gave Jesus the authority, He expertly began to weave the plot, introducing new characters as He develops the story line. With a vivacious intellect, He wends the way from action/adventure to the throes of drama, then adds a whiff of romance, written as sweet poetry, before comedic tones are introduced to lighten the story. Mysteries may be revealed in the next chapter, or He may, in His wisdom, evolve them into a cliff hanger. 

    Every story must have an antagonist, and mine is not free from the dastardly determination of the devil. However, Jesus provides protection for the protagonist with the armor of God as He continues to build to a climax.

    When the final page is penned, these words of finality, "The End," will not be seen. Rather, there will be only this: "...To be continued."

    Jesus, as the Author of life itself (Acts 3:15), is the only One with the qualifications to take my unedited pile of papers and turn it into a best seller. He, who knew my story before the world began, created me, redeemed me from a life of slavery to sin, and will whisk me off to a mansion to live happily ever after with Him. 

    And that, my friend, is no fairy tale.

"Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be." Psalm 139:16

This Jesus

     To prepare for Easter this year, I began reading through the Gospel of Mark a few weeks ago. Though I didn't quite finish prior to Resurrection Day, I took up where I left off this morning:

    "The soldiers led Jesus away into the palace and called together the whole company of soldiers. They put a purple robe on Him, then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on Him. And they began to call out to Him, 'Hail, King of the Jews!' Again and again, they struck Him on the head and spit on Him..." (Mark 15: 16-18)

    Overcome with miserable grief, I had to quit reading. I bowed my head in utter shame to be counted among the sinners who did this to my Beloved. The weight of all my iniquities pressed upon my sorry frame as I sobbed out all my regrets to my King. 

    "I am not worthy to be in your Presence, Jesus!" I said in muffled sobs, "But I love you so!"

    I don't want to be counted among this reviling mob. Reading the account of the trial and crucifixion nettles me, stirs me into a fit of discomfort to say the least. The words of this mournful hymn from my past came to my heart: "Chief of sinners though I be, Jesus shed His blood for me; Died that I might live on high, Lived that I might never die. As the branch is to the vine, I am His and He is mine."

    I want to be counted as one who loved Jesus, like the woman who sobbed at His feet as she wiped them with her hair. I want to be seen standing stalwart in faithfulness at the foot of the cross, not wrenched in bitter denial by the charcoal fire in the courtyard. Oh, how I hate this sinful nature of mine! 

    Then the words of Peter's Pentecostal address came to mind (Acts 2: 14-41). Filled with the Holy Spirit, Peter raised his voice above the din and declared with conviction, "Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs...this man was handed over to you by God's deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing Him to the cross."

    This man. The same one who fed the five thousand, gave sight to the blind and healed with compassion was the One they dressed in purple, spat upon and mocked. Hit repeatedly over the head. Scorned.

    Peter went on to say, "But God." (In these two words, the course of history and the fate of all mankind are held!) "But God raised Him from the dead...God has raised this Jesus to life...God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah."

    This Jesus, to whom all authority has been given, we shall see coming again on the clouds of glory. This Jesus, the babe of Bethlehem, Immanuel, is the One I worship and adore. He is the Way, the Truth and the Life. This Jesus, whose sandals I am not worthy to untie, calls me His child. 

    When Peter's audience heard this, they were "cut to the heart" and asked, "Brothers, what shall we do?" 

    Indeed, what shall I do when the full knowledge of my sins weighs heavily upon me, and the unworthiness of my soul shines like the midday sun? The answer lies within a word seen as rather archaic in these days: Repent. Tell this Jesus I am sorry for what I've done, thank Him for His sacrifice which paid my debt and shower Him with pure love. Then, pick up my cross daily and follow Him.

"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8

You Are Mine

 "But now, this is what the Lord says - He who created you, Jacob, He who formed you, Israel: 'Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine." Isaiah 43:1

    Yesterday, I joined the throngs at the grocery store and, what began as a mundane task, soon became a celebration, the likes of which only God can do.

    At first glance, the cashier who rang my order appeared weary. I can relate to that since I work on my feet; my legs were still aching from the previous day. I inquired about her welfare and she, with a sigh, acknowledged the increased shoppers due to Easter.

    "How will you be spending the holiday?" I asked. 

    "I'll be going to church," she replied, "then cooking for my family."

    Aha! The door had opened just a bit, enough for me to venture, "He is risen! We've much to celebrate, don't we?"

    The fatigue fled from her face as she shared with me her testimony. "Have you heard of the show, 'The Chosen'?"

    "You bet," came my enthusiastic response. "I love that show because it has helped the Bible to come alive for so many."

    She showed me her coffee mug which bore the name of the series and I showed her my tee shirt that proclaims, "Jesus is King!" The celebration had begun as I bagged the items she was scanning. 

    "Do you recall the first episode, the one where Jesus quotes that verse to Mary Magdalene saying, 'I have called you by name, you are mine'?" asked the cashier. "That's the scene that changed my life!"

    As her words worked in my heart, it dawned on me what she was saying, but to clarify, I asked, "Do you mean, you became a Christian that moment as you watched the show?"

    Yes! With joy, she is celebrating Resurrection Sunday as a redeemed daughter of the King this year! Jesus summoned her by name; she is now His. 

    As I drove away from the store, my heart was soaring with gratitude for the Living Savior who loves us and knows us personally. 

    I implore you to read John 20:1-18 and put yourself in the sandals of Mary Magdalene. In her deep sorrow, she came looking for a dead body, but even that was taken away along with her hope. (Aren't we glad she didn't find what she was looking for?) Inconsolable, she asked whom she believed to be the gardener, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him."

    "Jesus said to her, 'Mary.'" That's all He had to say for the Light of the world to break through her clouds.

    Insert your own name there. If you are wandering amid brokenness, looking for some semblance of hope, turn your eyes upon Jesus, the Author of your life. He knows you by name.

    Won't you join the cashier and me in the celebration? 

Big Shoes to Fill

 "How then can we be saved? All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags." Isaiah 64: 5, 6

    Kids like to play dress-up. I have a photo of myself in my dad's coat, hat and shoes when I was just a child, too inadequate to fill them. My father had some big shoes to fill, and though I wanted to be like him, I didn't have what it took. 

    George Jones sang a song entitled, "Who's Gonna Fill Their Shoes?" He sang about the greats of country music, those irreplaceable legends who had made their mark in the world before they left it. Part of the chorus has this to say: "Who's gonna give their heart and soul to get to me and you? Lord, I wonder who's gonna fill their shoes?"

    Many centuries ago, when God made his covenant with Abram, he listed promises which He had committed to fulfill. All Abram had to do was to "walk before me faithfully and be blameless." (see Genesis 17: 1, 2) How could he, a sinner, (or any of his descendants, like us), fill those shoes? Of course, God already knew we were in need of rescuing.

    What we needed was Someone who could do just that. Someone blameless. That's when God sent his perfect Son to fill the shoes. He intervened on our behalf.

    "But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear...The Lord looked and was displeased that there was no justice. He saw that there was no one, he was appalled that there was no one to intervene; so his own arm achieved salvation for him, and his own righteousness sustained him. He put on righteousness as his breastplate, and the helmet of salvation on his head; he put on the garments of vengeance and wrapped himself in zeal as in a cloak...The Redeemer will come to Zion, to those in Jacob who repent of their sins." (Isaiah 59: 2, 15-17, 20, emphasis mine)

    As a child of God, I am no longer inadequate. When I put on the righteous garments of Jesus, I am covered by his grace. The requirements have been fulfilled in Him, and the shoes fit Him perfectly. 

    Now I am dressed like my Father.

"He has sent me to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels." Isaiah 61: 1-3, 10