HAS THE WORLD GONE CRAZY?

by Marion Ueckermann

My husband and I have just returned from a six-week vacation in Europe and Britain. Despite being far away from South Africa with its increasing political issues, it was hard—even amidst the beautiful colorful countryside, majestic old castles and stately homes, and fresh scones with strawberry jam and clotted cream—to switch off at times from the negative issues from home as we chatted with fellow South Africans and family living abroad about our declining country with its myriad of problems.

The day before we left the UK, the tragic Manchester bombing shattered people’s lives. We’d bypassed this city merely 24 hours before, unaware of the tragedy that would happen the following night. As we explored the streets of Rome later that same week, we saw the effects of the increasing terror threats in Europe in the very visible military presence at all tourist attractions.

Soaking in the tranquil beauty of Tuscany, it was easy to forget about all the problems and suffering in the world. Until our own family crisis struck, something too personal to speak about here, but an event which caused tremendous heartache, leaving us wondering like the rest of the world: “How do we fix this?”

The answer? We can’t. Only God can. And I stand amazed at the incredible ways He has brought people across our path who themselves have walked a similar road, or are close to someone on the same journey…people who could share their stories, offer comfort, give advice. Our Heavenly Father even sent little fireflies in the night to remind us that there is always a light in the dark, always a glimmer of hope.

One evening, several days later, my son and I were walking through the streets of Modena in Italy. We passed through a park and the most beautiful fragrance, like Jasmine on steroids, filled the air…a fragrance we’d enjoyed in Florence and wondered where it came from. I asked my son’s friends what trees held these gloriously fragrant blooms. Tiglio trees came the answer. I googled this later to discover these green giants are known as lime trees or linden in England, and basswood in North America.

We’d just exited this park, the Tiglio trees’ fragrance following us out, when my son shared with me his angst of not knowing what the future held. I reminded him that while we might not know, we serve a God who does. I encouraged him to focus on one day at a time, that Jesus told us not to worry about tomorrow because today had enough of its own worries, all the while trying to remind myself to remember this same principle.

When we got back to the house, I checked my emails and there was one from a twice-weekly devotion I subscribe to called Loop. These short devotions are written as personal letters from God to women. To me. The title immediately caught my attention, and as I read I allowed myself to return to the Tiglio trees. With permission, I share this devotion—My Fragrance—and the introductory email from the author, Jennifer J. Camp, with you.

Dear sister,

I want to live this day so aware of God in me—the Holy Spirit my guide and counselor, that I inhabit the fragrance of His presence. For it is beautiful there—this place where I am my true self.

What will that be like for you, this day? How will you be affected by this awareness? Will you be more patient, more kind, more filled with hope and joy? How will others around you, whom you love, be blessed by your heeding the rhythms of the Holy Spirit within you?

Jennifer

 My Fragrance

“For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing” (2 Corinthians 2:15).

I am for you. I am with you. I go before, knowing what is ahead. I stand behind, my hand on your shoulder, so close you can smell my presence. Yes, there is a fragrance of my Spirit. This is where I invite you to live—your truest self, stripped of all insecurities, all what-ifs, all doubts and fears and pains.

Breathe deeply, my dear one. Breathe in sweetness and hope. Breathe in newness and the clean air I bring.

I draw you in.

Let Me be your strength. There, you are glorious. Let Me be the hand you hold—all weight lifted, all sorrow behind. Let Me cup your face in my hands. Let Me look on you. Let Me hold you. Let Me walk next to you. Match my stride. 

I show you how.

There is a pace—within this fragrance of my presence—where I invite you to stay. Keep that pace. You know the pace, the rhythm, the movement of your moments when you can breathe Me and smell the fragrance of Me with you.

I envelop you. I carry you. And all whom you meet will be in my presence, with you, too. They will be enveloped in the fragrance of Me. All you do with Me points the people you meet to the fragrance. Let it spread. Keep in step. Check the pace. Let it be a rhythm that is natural.

Practice.

Breathe.

I show you how.

https://www.gatherministries.com/

Saturday night a week ago, we caught our flight back to South Africa from Milan. We landed in Doha at 6 AM to news of yet another terror attack in London on London Bridge and at Borough Market. More terror. More heartache. More needing to breathe in deep of the fragrance of our Heavenly Father.

This week has seen the most scenic parts of our country wiped out through out-of-control fires and gale force winds with thousands of people losing everything. Even as I write this, fires still rage in our beautiful garden route. We have family in those areas, we have friends, we have friends who have family… So many lives affected. So much tragedy. And in it all, God reminds us to breathe deep and see Him bring beauty from the ashes.

MARION UECKERMANN's passion for writing was sparked when she moved to Ireland with her family. Her love of travel has influenced her contemporary inspirational romances set in novel places. Marion and her husband again live in South Africa, but with two gorgeous grandsons hanging their hats at the house next door, their empty nest's no longer so empty.

Visit Marion at www.marionueckermann.net

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The Fragrance God appreciates.

To accept the fact of the Passover sacrifice pointing to Jesus in His redemptive role, there must be some significance in the other sacrifices. The morning and the evening sacrifices are a case in point (Exodus 29:38-41). This is what you are to offer on the altar regularly each day: two lambs a year old. Offer one in the morning and the other at twilight….a pleasing aroma, an offering made to the Lord by fire.’ 

These sacrifices began and ended the day. They were to be a perpetual sacrifice. Each lamb was totally consumed by fire as it was exclusively offer to God. Other sacrifices were for the benefit of priest and people in the Lord’s presence. C.H. Mackintosh in ‘Notes on the Pentateuch, p.578 said, ‘(the morning and evening sacrifices pointed to) God’s delight in Christ. Morning by morning, evening by evening, day by day, week by week, from one new moon to another, from the opening to the close of the year, it is Christ in His fragrance and preciousness to God ward…the heart of God is refreshed and delighted by Christ.’ This was testified to at His baptism and on the Mount of Transfiguration.

The crucifixion was no chance affair. Political intrigue and personal animosity may appear to have driven the nails and the spear. It was however all in the perfect timing of God’s purposes. We rejoice in the Passover. What is not so apparent is its link with the morning and evening sacrifices. Each morning sacrifice was prepared from 7:30am and sacrificed at 9am. The evening sacrifice was slain at 2:30pm and became a burnt offering at 3:30pm.  We can so easily overlook the significance of what Mark records in chapter 15:25 ‘It was the third hour when they crucified him.’ That was 9am. Luke 23:44-46 (NIV) ‘It was about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour…Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last.’  That’s around 3pm. The Passover completed that day’s sacrificial services, which on every other day would have concluded with the evening sacrifice. 

Therefore, what was for us, salvation was combined with the sacrifices which delighted the Father! Ephesians 5:2 ‘Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us, a fragrant offering to God.’ Because He was accepted our commitment to Him has also made us share in the aroma of Christ (2 Corinthians 2:15. NRSV)

Of all the sacrifices spoken of in the Old Testament none surpass the morning and evening ones. ‘It is good to praise the Lord and make music to your name, O Most High, to proclaim your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night. (Psalm 92:1-2 NIV). Yes, they have been fulfilled! However, when we uphold the Name of the Lord Jesus before the Father’s throne we maintain the principle of the morning and evening sacrifices.

                                                ----------------------------

Ray is the author of a 31 Day devotional series on Biblical themes. You can see his books on http://rayhawkinsauthor.blogspot.com.au  they are available at some Christian bookshops and as ebooks. He can be contacted at ray.haw3819@bigpond.com

The Fragrance of Life

Hello, Sandra Orchard here.

I live in Niagara, Canada, where let's just say the weather has been unusual this year. But one great side effect has been less bugs eating what few plants actually grew. Or so I thought. When I spotted this guy in our garden, I remembered a post I wrote a few years ago for my own blog and thought I'd share it here today.

 

Scent is a powerful thing. The slightest whiff of a particular scent can rouse memories you haven’t thought about in years, evoking unexpected emotions. The fragrance of my mom’s favorite hand lotion will bring memories of her flooding back to me. 

 

For others the smell of oil might take them back to their first car, or a day spent with their dad working on the old jalopey. The smell of leather might remind you of that cool guy you dated in twelfth grade. 

 

Since I write romantic suspense, you’re probably thinking–-fragrances…romance…I know where she’s going with this. Trust me when I say…probably not. 

 

Do you have Japanese beetles where you live? 

 

They’re quite attractive, with shiny green and bronze shield-like backs. But destructive! Think plague of locusts.

I knew we had to take action when the leaves on my linden turned to lacy skeletons and began falling in mid-June, a full three months too soon. 

 

When the beetles, migrated to my bean plants, we declared all out war.  

 

We discovered a nifty way to catch these beetles without using pesticides. You hang a plastic bag, like the one in the picture, upwind from the infestation and place a pouch of female beetle pheromones inside. 

 

Instantly, hundreds of beetles lifted from our bean plants, and swarmed to the source of the scent.

Wow, that was one powerful fragrance. 

 

It reminded me of 2 Corinthians 2:14-16 “But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life. And who is equal to such a task?"

 

A humbling thought, isn’t it?  

 

When I catch myself acting not so fragrant, I think of that swarm of beetles and how very much I want to be the fragrance of life to those around me. How about you?

 

Today’s smile: 

This is Bella, my connoisseur-of-hubcaps pup. (you'll have to click the link for that story)

She felt sorry for all those Japanese beetles doped up on pheromones. After all dogs have an acute sense of smell. So… she liberated them! 

 

Yup, it’s true. As my daughter told my husband, “You had to know that was going to happen.” 

 

Have a fragrant week!  

 

Your Turn: 

What fragrance rouses the most powerful memories or emotions for you?

Sandra Orchard is a multi-award-winning Canadian author of inspirational romantic suspense/mysteries with Love Inspired Suspense and Revell. An active member in ACFW, The Word Guild, and RWA, she enjoys helping writers hone their skills. To find out more about her novels, and to read interesting bonus features, please visit www.sandraorchard.com or connect at www.Facebook.com/SandraOrchard