Our Sense of Smell
It is a Psalm of praise kind of day!
Oh, the joys of those who…
…delight in the law of the Lord,
meditating on it day and night.
They are like trees planted along the riverbank,
bearing fruit each season.
Their leaves never wither,
and they prosper in all they do. Psalm 1:1a, 2-3
♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦
There are many things that point to our Creator. Our sense of smell for example.
Friday night I was one of three buses that transported our high school band to a football game. After the game, the band members filed onto my bus and…well, 30-40 young people who had been in weighty band uniforms for most of the evening, did, in no way, smell as fresh as a morning rose. Nothing at that point could really be done about it, it’s just how our bodies work.
Anyway, once the bus got rolling and they had the stink blown off them (literally!) things improved greatly! But then as we journeyed home, I caught the scent of newly mowed hay sweet on the night air and the whiff of an unfortunate skunk (who actually was a little more bearable than when the students first clamored on board!). At some point, I also picked up the aroma of apples which I assume had fallen to the ground and were in the state of decay for lack of gathering.
All of these things my brain picked up on because the triangular piece of flesh on the front of my face is backed up by specialized sensory cells, called olfactory sensory neurons, which are found in a small patch of tissue high inside the nose. These cells connect directly to the brain. Each olfactory neuron has one odor receptor. Microscopic molecules released by substances around us…stimulate these receptors. Once the neurons detect the molecules, they send messages to your brain, which identifies the smell. There are more smells in the environment than there are receptors, and any given molecule may stimulate a combination of receptors, creating a unique representation in the brain. These representations are registered by the brain as a particular smell.*
Wow, who knew? Here is a passage from the book of Psalms that drives home my point.
Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it. Psalm 139:14 (NLT)
And how about this one?
For ever since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through His workmanship [all His creation, the wonderful things that He has made], so that they [who fail to believe and trust in Him] are without excuse and without defense. Romans 1:20 (AMP)
What more can be said? We are special. We are unique. We are important to our Creator. We are not happenstance. We are not an accident. We are not here by chance. God created each of us and every single one of our glorious attributes!
All things were made and came into existence through [Jesus]; and without Him not even one thing was made that has come into being. John 1:3 (AMP)
All praise to You, our Lord, Savior, and Creator!
*Smell Disorders Article from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services website
Sept 22nd, 2019, Sun, 6:47 pm
Sterling and Noble
Oh, my, Father, too many things going through my mind this afternoon! Church, work and home – and things from each are clamoring for my attention. Help me to focus on You. You alone can bring peace. Amen.
♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦
Of all things, our bathroom clock caught my eye as I readied myself for work in the wee hours of the morning. On its face it states that is manufactured by the Sterling and Noble Clock Company
When others see my face, would those be some of the first characteristics that come to mind? This is what I found when searching for definitions on Google.
Sterling – adj. – (of a person or their work, efforts, or qualities) excellent or valuable.
Noble – adj. – having or showing fine personal qualities or high moral principles and ideals.
Would I be seen as sterling and noble?
I tell you one thing; I am the absolute worst when it comes to lying – just ask my wife! Even if it is for a good cause or something fun. Several years ago, we were having a surprise celebration for a milestone birthday of my wife’s at a local eatery. I told her that my folks were coming down to eat with us (a 2-hour drive), in an attempt to keep it a surprise. When she asked why we were meeting there and not some halfway location, I told her it was because they really liked the soft-serve ice cream they had…she didn’t buy it. They do like soft-serve icecream but she knew just by looking at me that there was more to it than that!
I am just very bad at it – period. There are those that would laugh at my inability to lie but really it doesn’t bother me. I’m really glad that I am not good at it.
This is by no means a holier-than-thou kind of thing but I strive to live as transparent a life as possible before everyone. There is just too much pulling the wool over people’s eyes in the world today. It’s hard to know who you can trust. And unfortunately, the Church is not exempt. It makes me sick to see the number of ministers and other people who are responsible for children and youth who make the headlines because of molestation or sex trafficking! It is awful!
We should be able to irrevocably trust those in leadership over us – especially in the Church!
Another topic that was addressed at last weekend’s ethics training dealt with the power that pastors have. It may not be as potent as it was 50 years ago but ministers still hold a very powerful position. Many, many people, in err mind you, tend to take their eyes of God and begin worshipping the pastor.
I am fallible. I am human. I make mistakes just like everybody else.
I need God. I am incapable of living the life He calls me to without His guiding hand, without His love filling me and flowing through me, without His strength, without His wisdom. I can only succeed. I can only overcome when He fills me.
Lord Jesus, may I be sterling and noble for You. May I be the person – not just the pastor – that you have called me to be. Being Your child is my first and foremost calling. Being Your servant to proclaim Your message is the outcome of my being Your child. Each day I give myself over to You. Amen.
Sept 19th, 2019, Thurs, 12:21 pm
Obstacles
Good morning, Father! It is a glorious morning and a great day for a bus trip. As I sit here keeping myself busy for a few hours may our time be glorious as well! May I hear your voice clear and strong! Amen.
Mark 16:1-8 (<<click to read the passage)
There are many things in life that from our perspective seem to be insurmountable. Finances. Relationships. Jobs. So many times we are just stymied. We hesitate and though we may take a few steps forward we are filled with fear.
The women that had been with Jesus all along this journey of agony and death were on their way. In their culture, their hands were tied. There was so little they could really do…but now they were doing something they could do. They had no means of stopping the atrocities against their Lord and Master but nothing was going to stop them from giving Jesus the proper burial He deserved. He had done so much for them…they owed Him at least that much!
And most amazingly, as they headed out they really had no idea how they were even going to get to His body! “Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joseph saw where Jesus’ body was laid” and watched as a stone was rolled in front of the entrance of the tomb. (Mark 15:46-47)
They knew the stone was there but did it stop them? Nope! They didn’t know how they were going to do it but it didn’t slow them down!
That was a big hurdle to overcome but it wasn’t the only one! Matthew 27:62-66 tells us that because the Pharisees wanted to cover all their bases, they convinced Pilate to post a Roman guard at the entrance – talk about an impossible obstacle for the three women!
But none of these things stopped them, they were on a mission, driven by love for their Lord! And they were determined that nothing was going to stop them!
So…what is ahead of you? Insurmountable obstacles? Things that there just seem to be no way to overcome? Are they stopping you dead in your tracks?
Do as Mary and Mary and Solome did! They didn’t know the answers to their own questions but they forged ahead!
Deuteronomy 31:8 gives us this promise,
“It is the Lord who goes before you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or abandon you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”
We may not know all the answers but we sure know Someone who does!
Sept 18th, 2019, Wed, 9:35 am
Taking a Stand
Father, my life is in the mix with that of so many others. Between family and bus and church – and those are just the ones I interact with on a regular basis – my life intersects with the lives of countless others. May I be consistent in who I am. May I be a light pointing to You through it all. Amen.
Mark 15:42-47 (<<click to read the passage)
I, for one, believe that there will come a time, potentially in the not too distant future, where, if we are true followers of Christ, we will have to show ourselves for who we truly are. We will have to make a choice of standing for Christ or against Him.
Jesus said in Matthew 12:30 (NLT),
“Anyone who isn’t with me opposes me, and anyone who isn’t working with me is actually working against me.”
Joseph of Arimathea “took a risk” (NLT), he “he courageously dared to go in before Pilate, and asked for the body of Jesus.” (AMP)
“Joseph was an honored member of the high council, and he was waiting for the Kingdom of God to come.” (NLT)
From a worldly perspective, he had a lot to lose. His actions – his standing with, affiliating himself with Jesus – set him apart from those around him. John, in his Gospel, states that “Nicodemus, the man who had come to Jesus at night”, joined him, for he too believed in Jesus. (John 19:39) But no one else came forward in bold association (with the exception of the women we spoke of yesterday.)
Right now, it’s just a little uncomfortable. Being a Christian is definitely not PC (politically correct) in our society. Many who stand boldly for their belief come under the ridicule of the public eye for doing so. But for genuine followers of Jesus, it is a non-issue – either we are for Him…or we are against Him.
Lord Jesus, I believe with all my heart that I will stand. I plead that You will give me the wisdom, strength, and love to do so – regardless of the price. May I never be ashamed of You. May I always stand true. Amen.
Sept 17th, 2019, Tues, 12:45 pm
No Girls Allowed!
Father, it sure is a stereotypical Monday! Many are grumpy. Many are weary. I don’t even know how many students didn’t ride in on my bus this morning. May I be salt and light to the world around me. Amen.
Mark 15:40-41 (<<click to read the passage)
Alright…I sit here and feel that I must say what needs said. I began writing of it yesterday and backed off – hesitant – not sure how to proceed. But it won’t leave my mind and in preparing a devotional for a meeting tonight, there it was again. So, come what may, here we go! (It is fairly long, in that there is a lot of Scripture – regardless of your own theological views, would you please bear with me?)
Today’s passage speaks of the women who found themselves amongst the onlookers as Jesus hung, suffering, on that old rugged cross. Of all of Jesus’ followers, the only man that was present was John. The rest were women.
This past Saturday I participated in a Clergy Ethics Training as mandated by the United Methodist Church for all active clergy every four years. One of the many topics that was addressed throughout a full day of interaction was the Church’s (and this I believe goes beyond the UMC and extends to the Church universal) reaction to women who feel a call to serve in ministry.
I realize that this opens a major can of worms, in some circles, but it needs to be addressed. Entire denominations follow Paul’s teaching in 1 Corinthians 14:33-35 where it states,
“…for God [who is the source of their prophesying] is not a God of confusion and disorder but of peace and order.
As [is the practice] in all the churches of the saints (God’s people) the women should be silent in the churches, for they are not authorized to speak, but are to take a subordinate place, as the Law says. If there is anything they want to learn [that is, if they have questions about anything being said or taught], they are to ask their own husbands at home; for it is improper for a woman to talk in church.” (AMP)
I love serving in the United Methodist Church but my mother denomination – and the one of which I am an ordained elder – is the Church of the Nazarene.
This is what they have in their Manual – their book of laws and beliefs in regards to this topic. When Scripture is noted, I have inserted the passage for easy reference.
The Church of the Nazarene supports the right of women to use their God-given spiritual gifts within the church and affirms the historic right of women to be elected and appointed to places of leadership… including the offices of both elder and deacon.
The purpose of Christ’s redemptive work is to set God’s creation free from the curse of the Fall. Those who are “in Christ” are new creations (2 Corinthians 5:17)
This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! NLT
In this redemptive community, no human being is to be regarded as inferior on the basis of social status, race, or gender (Galatians 3:26-28)
For you [who are born-again have been reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, sanctified and] are all children of God [set apart for His purpose with full rights and privileges] through faith in Christ Jesus. For all of you who were baptized into Christ [into a spiritual union with the Christ, the Anointed] have clothed yourselves with Christ [that is, you have taken on His characteristics and values]. There is [now no distinction in regard to salvation] neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you [who believe] are all one in Christ Jesus [no one can claim a spiritual superiority]. AMP
Acknowledging the apparent paradox created by Paul’s instruction to Timothy (1 Timothy 2:11-12)
Women should learn quietly and submissively. I do not let women teach men or have authority over them. Let them listen quietly.
…and to the church in Corinth (1 Corinthians 14:33-34 – see above), we believe interpreting these passages as limiting the role of women in ministry presents serious conflicts with specific passages of scripture that commend female participation in spiritual leadership roles
(Joel 2:28-29;
“Then, after doing all those things,
I will pour out my Spirit upon all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy.
Your old men will dream dreams,
and your young men will see visions.
In those days I will pour out my Spirit
even on servants—men and women alike.
Acts 2:17-18; 21:8-9;
‘In the last days,’ God says,
‘I will pour out my Spirit upon all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy.
Your young men will see visions,
and your old men will dream dreams.
In those days I will pour out my Spirit
even on my servants—men and women alike—
and they will prophesy.
The next day we went on to Caesarea and stayed at the home of Philip the Evangelist, one of the seven men who had been chosen to distribute food. He had four unmarried daughters who had the gift of prophecy.
Romans 16:1, 3, 7;
I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a deacon in the church in Cenchrea.
Give my greetings to Priscilla and Aquila, my co-workers in the ministry of Christ Jesus.
Greet Andronicus and Junia, [a woman] my fellow Jews, who were in prison with me. They are highly respected among the apostles and became followers of Christ before I did.
Philippians 4:2-3),
Now I appeal to Euodia and Syntyche. Please, because you belong to the Lord, settle your disagreement. And I ask you, my true partner, to help these two women, for they worked hard with me in telling others the Good News. They worked along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are written in the Book of Life.
and violates the spirit and practice of the Wesleyan-holiness tradition. Finally, it is incompatible with the character of God presented throughout Scripture, especially as revealed in the person of Jesus Christ.
I think their statement on the topic is very thorough and most definitely brings to light what is of utmost importance.
As a part of Saturday’s teaching, our teacher (a wonderful woman of God, by the way) shared a video with us. The North Carolina Conference of The United Methodist Church put together a video of male clergy reading statements submitted by women clergy of their conference. The statements were actual quotes of individuals speaking to them in regards to their feelings of women serving in the ministry. It is very disturbing if you care to watch it. Here is the link, Women in Ministry, if you would care to watch it.
Pray for all clergy, many are exactly where God wants them to be. Some are so far from God that we should pray they would receive an impacting vision of the God they claim to serve. But regardless we are all in need of your prayers, as well as, your love and support.
Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings. 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 (NIV)
Sept. 16th, 2019, Mon, 12:52 pm