A Fragrance That Leaves You Wanting More

As I made my way to my second-row seat at church on Sunday, I couldn’t help but notice this exquisite floral masterpiece at the altar. Not only was I taken with the enormity of the arrangement and the vast array of colorful flowers and greenery, but the fragrant aroma of the flowers filled the air. It drew me in as an aromatic garden. I related it to the fragrance of those who exude the fragrance of sweet Holy Spirit Who blesses us with so many appealing "fragrant" gifts: love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23) I'm sure you're familiar with that fragrance and even witnessed it in others. You might carry that scent, too.

We hear and talk a lot about being the "light of the world", but shouldn't we also be the "fragrance of the world"? Carrying the fragrance of God wherever we go certainly makes sense.

The Bible tells us this story: "Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus' feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume." (John 12:3) Can't you just imagine the aroma that consumed the house and all those who were in the house? What about those who had been in Jesus' presence that day? Don’t you know they carried the scent of the perfume, but they also carried the scent of Jesus' presence on them, too. They were better for it. They wanted to BE BETTER because of it.

What if our lives were a fragrance that attracted people to God? Our fragrance will either attract others to Him or repel them. The sweet scent of the likeness of Christ can be an irresistible pull toward the Savior. When we walk with God, we leave behind a sweet fragrance that can inspire others to follow. So many need to experience that fragrance.....and they will, as we continue to "splash on" His fragrance throughout our days. So....what fragrance are YOU wearing today?

I'm Still Here, So I'm Not Done (This is long today -- so much to tell you about!)

Our first stop yesterday was the Mount of Olives where our Lord ascended into heaven. Before I left home in Texas, I sensed I needed to get all my documents together and in order should something happen to me while I was in Israel -- specifically, if God wanted to ascend me directly to heaven from the Mount of Olives, I was ready to go. LOL! But, I'm still here, so I'm not done. God has work for me to do and this pilgrimage has inspired me so much, I'm chomping at the bit to spread the good news of our Lord's life and all He did for our salvation.

This first photo is Rimon, our amazing tour guide. Yesterday he was sporting a Texas A&M ball cap and today it was Texas Longhorns. He aims to please his Texas pilgrims -- LOL! Those from New Mexico, Oklahoma and Arkansas are still waiting to see what he has for them!

There isn't a specific spot identified as the place of Jesus' ascension, except that it was from the Mount of Olives. Our tour guide, Rimon, gave us this scripture from Acts 1:10-11 "He was taken up into a cloud while they were watching, and they could no longer see Him. As they strained to see Him rising into heaven, two white-robed men suddenly stood among them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday He will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go!” There are three religions that dominate this country: Muslim, Jew, Christians. And each of them are looking for the Messiah to come, but we know our Messiah died, was buried, arose and ascended into heaven. Our Lord is risen and He sits at the right hand of the Father. How reasuring it is, that He was one of us, understands us so well, and now, and one day will take us home to be with Him forever.

The Lord's Prayer was in tiles all around this church in 164 languages. We sang "The Lord's Prayer" from our hearts of thanksgiving. Then we walked to the area where Jesus wept over Jerusalem. We were shown the Dome of the Rock, the Eastern Gate, the Russian Church, and the mosque that was built after the temple was destoryed. It was in that temple that Jesus, at age 12, amazed the priests with his knowledge of the Word. Ramone led us, then, in a walk to the Garden of Gethsemane. This was my favorite spot today. Gethsemane comes from the Hebrew Word for Olive Press.

Gethsemane is where Jesus took the same witnesses of His transfiguration on Mount Tabor, Peter, James and John, to the garden with Him to pray. Their spirits were willing but their flesh was weak, and couldn't stay awake. The gorgeous Sanctuary of Gethsemane (Church of the Nations) enshrines a section of bedrock where Jesus is said to have prayed before his arrest. (Mark 14:32-42). It was so humbling to kneel before that rock, place my hand on it and know this was the beginning of Christ's ultimate price for my salvation.

To say we were touched, puts it mildly -- that our Lord knew what was ahead for Himself and those He loved and served just couldn't stay awake for Him. You can see in the photo below how so emotionally taken these two men were with this experience. We were amazed that there are trees in Gethsemane that are still in the garden from when Jesus was here.

It was lunchtime and we loaded up in the bus, but we had a short and sweet stop before lunch. The owner, Moses, of the Inspiration Tours in Houston's 92-year old father, Gabriel, lives here in Jerusalem and every tour that comes here, he wants to meet and give gifts. He blessed the two priests with us with a Jerusalem stole and wooden Jerusalem cross and he had special medals made, that were unlike anything in any store, and gave one to each person in our group. The medal has 2 fish on it from Jesus' miracle of feeding the 5000+ and 5 crosses like the Jerusalem cross. He said, "Keep it close to your hearts to remember to pray for the Christians in the Holy Land."

He was precious and said: "Thank you for coming to this spot. This is where early pilgrims came and reached the top of this hill -- the city wall of old Jerusalem. Joy filled their hearts as they recited Psalm 122 "I rejoiced with those who said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord. Our feet are standing in your gates, Jerusalem. Jerusalem is built like a city that is closely compacted together. That is where the tribes go up—the tribes of the Lord to praise the name of the Lord according to the statute given to Israel. There stand the thrones for judgment, the thrones of the house of David. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May those who love you be secure. May there be peace within your walls and security within your citadels.” For the sake of my family and friends, I will say, “Peace be within you. ”For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek your prosperity." He went on to say, "Thank you for having the courage to come to this spot of the world in spite of what you've been seeing in the news. Thank you for putting your trust in the Lord. Remember to pray. Prayer means PEACE. Receive a PIECE of the Lord and receive the PEACE of the Lord. Elohim (God) is in Jerusalem in all these holy places. An empty tomb is here to prove He is alive. Now, you say "The empty tomb and I have Him alive in me!" Gabriel certainly blessed us with his love and generosity.

We headed to the restaurant owned by our tour guide's uncle (his father's brother), Askadinya Restaurant. It was delicious -- lots of salads and chicken and rice! We have been fed so well!

After lunch we went to the chapel of the Franciscans for our Mass and communion. It wasn't the Upper Room, but we celebrated as though it were. The Upper Room is where Jesus and His disciples had their Last Supper together and that is when Jesus' instituted communion for us. How sweet was God's presence today. We were encouraged to renew our commitment to our Lord, and without hesitation, I'm quite sure we've been renewing our commitment every time we enter these holy places.

Then we went to the Dormition Abbey, a German Roman Catholic Church and Benedictine Abbey that is dedicated to the place where Mary, Mother of Jesus, passed away.

Then we went to The Upper Room, but in reality, no one really knows exactly where that is, but this is the agreed upon most acceptable location. We celebrated that the Upper Room is where Jesus showed Himself to be the greatest servant of all.

Our pilgrimage then took us to the Saint-Peter-in-Gallicantu Church which is built in the slopes of Mount Zion. According to tradition, this was the place of the palace of high priest Caiaphas, where Jesus was brought to jail after his arrest. Its name (Gallicantu, means the cock's crow) is given after the story of Peter's triple denial of Christ and the cock crowing twice.

Here it was that Jesus was dragged and flogged 39 times from Gethsemane to here. Our tour guide showed us what that looked like in these photos, and lastly they dumped him into this pit and continued to flog and beat him. I scarce can take this all in as I have watched movies of Christ's torture and death, but to be here where it happened, is overwhelming. You'll see the steps here that Jesus had to take. How befitting that we sang, "Were you there when they crucified my Lord?"

Tomorrow, we will arise at 4:15 am to go to the Via Delorosa -- the path to Calvary. My heart is full of love for my Lord and Savior. Indescribable, uncontainable love -- He put the stars in the sky and was willing to suffer and die for me.

Thank You Lord for my salvation.

What I'm Learning From My Garden

Day 130 of Photo Inspirations -- What I'm Learning From My Garden
Yesterday, right at dawn, I already had my day planned for planting the begonias and caladiums I bought the day before -- my annual early May ritual.  With my yard tools, wheelbarrow, planting soil, plant food, flowers and mulch, I began my handiwork. How beautiful it is, even with the hard work (my hand is bandaged from the blister I gave myself from digging the holes with my shovel), to see my finished product (and notice in the photo -- the little rabbit that was admiring my work)!  LOL!

I have two inside plants:  one (a Peace Lily) which I received for my husband's funeral 4-1/2 years ago, and the other plant was a gift I received for speaking at a Christmas event (Ivy with

Red Poinsettias -- they're still alive -- see photo).  Those plants are the only living/breathing things that represent responsibility to me.  When I was away for 3 weeks,  I took them over to a neighbor to baby-sit them for me.

Then there's my yellow and peach rose bushes that require consistent "dead-heading" (pinching off the already "spent" flowers) -- so that they'll continue to reproduce more flowers.

Planting New Flowers -- represent new birth -- new life -- and watching it grow.  Isn't that what we do when we plant into people's lives the Good News of God's love for them?   Often it's continuous "hard work", but when they "get it" and receive that new life, we get to be a part of nurturing them and watching them grow and flourish.

Responsibility -- as long as we are still here on this side of heaven, we have the responsibility of living a life of example.  St. Francis said, "Preach the Gospel at all times.....and sometimes use words."  Yes, our lives, like these flowers, are on display, and the fragrance we exude speaks volumes of WHO we are and WHOSE we are.  If that fragrance is sweet.....it will draw others to WHOSE we are.

Dead-Heading or Pruning -- that doesn't sound inviting, does it?   Yet the more God tweaks us, prunes us or "dead-heads" us (removes those things that could stunt  our growth) -- though painful or uncomfortable, the more we'll be beautiful flowers in His garden. Our Master Gardener know just what's best for us and what causes us to fulfill His perfect plan in our lives.   So......how does YOUR garden grow?

STOP.....and Smell the Roses!!!

Yesterday, I stopped by a garden center to check out some trees for my yard. The aroma of the Spring flowers was overwheming when I walked in! Immediately, I thought "I need to get some flowers!" Those fragrant, fresh smells almost led me astray because the nursery rep told me, for Tulsa, it's still too early to plant -- another freeze could play havoc on those little plantings. But I did enjoy the moments and sure wanted to linger there, but just too much to do -- I just had to go. Then, I realized that sometimes I get so wrapped up in my day-to-day activities that I don't take time to even notice the sweet smells around me -- literally, not taking "time to smell the roses". Could it be that we're not enjoying our life journey like we should? Are the details of life -- the finances or taxes, work, family, health, and even Facebook or emails distracting us? Then it is time to "stop and smell the roses"!!

Life really is so short -- the sweet photo here are Larry & Staci's two children, Alexia and Payton, 10 YEARS ago. I think....where did the time go? Isn't it best to be savoring the moments the best we can, while we can. Taking the time to enjoy their sweet smiling faces or listening to their silly laughter, or enjoying the upbeat music that just makes us want to do a little dance, really savoring the food we're eating, or noticing and smelling the fragrance of Spring! When we enjoy the little things, we’ll begin to experience joy and happiness that will make our life journey absolutely so worthwhile! So often, when I'm not distracted by so many day-to-day routines, I just love to sit quietly and reflect on the many blessings of my life -- that is the best way to "stop and smell the roses". If we don't stop and smell them today, before we know it, the roses will have wilted and withered and be gone. Okay....I'm getting off Facebook for a while -- and I'm going to find some roses to smell!!!