What is that Fragrance?

My grandson was riding in my car with me and I let him smell the very small bottle of cologne I keep in my driver’s side door. He smelled it and said: “Papa”. I smiled because he remembered. My sweetheart wore that cologne that we deemed our favorite. I spray a little in my car’s air conditioning vents and take it in with memories of us AND to make my car smell really good.

There's a scent that, as Christians, we should all wear. It is called, "eau de Christ". Best fragrance EVER! “Thanks be to God Who always leads us to triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.” 2 Cor 2:14–15

I want to smell like that! If ever we needed to smell like Jesus – it is today. Spiritually speaking of course, but the analogy makes sense. Scent is one of the most powerful forces we experience. It triggers memories (oh, yes it does) and it influences us to pull into a certain restaurant or grab a cup of coffee. Our sense of smell is directly linked to the emotional and memory centers of our brains. I remember the Wonder Bread factory in Tulsa. Every time we drove anywhere near it, we started salivating. In fact, oftentimes, I would pull into their store where you could get some of that fresh bread. The smell drew me in.

The reason God wants us to smell like Jesus is so that the people around us will begin to become thirsty and crave what we have – the Living Water and the Bread of Life that comes down from heaven. God wants people to see and savor our risen Lord who is alive and inside our hearts. People will be drawn to our LOVE walk and talk. They will want what we have and even smell like us! I'm dousing in His fragrance right now!

Ephesians 5:2 “And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.”

This Drink’s on Me

I’m high-step-walking in early morning bliss when out of the blue, this phrase pops in my mind: “This drink’s on me!” I think: “Is that you, God?” I think He’s telling me to drink in the beauty of this morning. My pondering then goes to what is usually meant by “This drink’s on me!” I suspect that we’ve all heard that phrase in the context of an alcoholic drink in a bar. But, this day, my mind goes to Jesus saying “Come drink of THIS water and you’ll never thirst again.”

“This drink’s on me”, used as an offer for an alcoholic drink, often numbs the senses. “This drink’s on ME” – coming from our Lord, enlightens the senses – making feeling, tasting, hearing, speaking and seeing – so much more intense and empowering. He wants us to drink in HIM – and when we do – we become aware of just how big God is.

At our little neighborhood, sing-a-long concert with LaDonna Gatlin and her husband, Tim, this Sunday morning, she starts us off with Job 38’s explanation of just WHO God is. Job was in total despair after having lost his family, his belongings, his health – nothing remained. He was in misery and rather than God addressing Job’s woes…..He reminds Job WHO HE is AND, how big He is. “Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Who decreed the boundaries of the seas when they gushed from the depths? Who clothed them with clouds and thick darkness? Have you ever once commanded the morning to appear and caused the dawn to rise in the east? Have you ever told the daylight to spread to the ends of the earth, to end the night’s wickedness? Who can tilt the water jars of heaven, when everything is dust and clods?”

If that doesn’t conjure up the greatness and bigness of our God Who holds us and this world in His hands – I can’t imagine what does. So, today, He reminds us that He is NOT unaware of what’s going on in our lives. He IS God, after all – Who created this world AND us.

I AM hearing the sound of water moving, fountains flowing, the sound of waterfalls. I feel those living waters – especially as I listen to our praises going up in our little sing-a-long that lifts my heart and soul. I can sense “everything’s gonna’ be alright.” I can sense God’s embrace and His holiness pervading me. Of course, our God is big enough to rule His mighty universe, but, He’s oh so small that He lives within our hearts and offering us to drink of Him and we’ll never be thirsty again. (John 4:14) Come enjoy these living waters. God is saying "This drink's on ME."

Got Desert? Green Pastures Await You!

It’s difficult to think of desert in the midst of the torrential rains we had in the last 24-hours here in Frisco. But, deserts did come to mind when I thought about the “desert experiences” of life.

Not far from the lush rolling hills in Austin where my children live, you can find yourself in the desert. In fact, there are cacti and other desert foliage all around my children’s home. Trust me. I know. Those cactus spikes got my attention coming through my jeans when I got too close to them. But the desert areas around Austin pales in comparison to Mexico where we recently went for a family vacation. Just go for a little walk without water and you’ll find yourself dry, hot, and parched. Oh, for a cool drink of water!

The Season of Easter is synonymous with freshness, new life, springtime, an abundance of flowers and budding trees. But, all that newness means little when we are in a virtual desert spiritually. Beauty is all around, but we don’t see it or feel it. We prefer the curtains drawn and we want the world to go away. I have been there in seasons of personal drought. No matter what scriptures I read or praise songs I sang or words of encouragement that were given to me, I just wanted to wallow in a pool of self-pity. In those “seasons”, I came to realize that staying there was the worst place I could be. Or, was it?

Those dry seasons are like a thermometer. We can read our temperature and know there is something wrong. And in the desert seasons, we know there is something wrong spiritually. When we open our eyes and hearts wide, we know we’re off-kilter. We know we are not nourishing and refreshing ourselves with the Springs of Living Water. We’ve become lackadaisical in our relationship with God. We don’t hunger and thirst for Him. The enemy of our souls is mighty proud of us during those times of living in the desert. The Psalmist David knew about these times. That's why he wrote in Psalm 23 "He MAKES me lie down in green pastures to restore my soul!"

I know there are those reading this blog today who feel like you are there – right in the middle of a parched soul desert. But, I’m here to declare to you this day – your desert experience is almost over. You will soon be revitalized to achieve greater heights and a level of spiritual clarity that you have not even imagined, but it's up to you to get out of the desert. The fast track there is by refusing to live there any longer. Open wide the windows and let the fresh air of the Holy Spirit in. Refuse to live there any longer. A bountiful supply of Living Water is available to you. In John 7:37-39 Jesus cried out, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scriptures said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’” He was speaking of the Holy Spirit Who came to live in us when we first received Christ into our lives. It’s springtime and renewal time today. Run to the touch of Jesus and let His living water saturate you today! Dry spell ended, in Jesus' name!

Let’s Meet Him at the Well

Every morning, I’m up and at ‘em by 5:30 am to look over the text of my blog one more time before I hit the “post” button. Not long after that, I send my morning “I love you” text messages to my children. I’m like clock-work with my daily deliveries – on FB, my blogger page and those text messages. I always feel like I’m “reporting for duty” each morning. And, then, it’s checking in with Heaven Central as, while it’s still dark outside, I make a cup of flavored coffee, settle into my favorite chair and, now, for the last few chilly mornings – put on my fireplace. I grab my lightweight blanket and reach for my journal and devotional. It’s my morning ritual -- my time with Him. Our time to be together.

I get to be with Jesus. What will He show me today? How will today’s walk and talk with Him affect me and those I’ve been called to encourage? I don’t want to miss a single thing in God’s Word that could make a significant difference in my day. I don’t want the distractions of the clock or my cell phone or the weight of daily assignments to pull my thoughts away from His. I’ve come to meet with Jesus -- to gather with Him for a momentary time at the “well” to take in His “living water”. It’s the same “living water” that He gave to the Samaritan woman. (John 4:4–42) That water He offered her would cause her to never thirst again. I also meet Him at the "well", and each day I am filled with joy, peace, comfort, hope, and strength. Then, like the Samaritan woman, I go and tell via my daily posts. I share with others about this Man Who not only promised her and me that He would be our everything, He also said "I am that living water. I am that Spirit. that Truth, that Way, that Life.” “Many Samaritans from that city believed in Him because of the woman's testimony.

This is the Jesus that prompts me each morning to share His Good News. I like to think that I’m like that Samaritan woman as I pass along His “living water” to others, too. In those priceless moments that Jesus had with the Samaritan woman at the town well where she came to draw water, Jesus opened her eyes and heart to a love as she had never known before. She had a revelation of Jesus – the one who ignited a fire in her soul to go tell the townspeople about Jesus. In our special moments with God, let’s ask Him to open our hearts so wide that we long to know His love like we've never known before. Let’s yearn for a deeper understanding of His character. Let’s wake up every day saying, “Good Morning Jesus,” and embrace the desire to spend time with Him, discovering His truths, and rejoicing in His promises.

And in those quiet moments as we read through the pages of our Bible, may we pray that our eyes are opened to see Him more clearly and hear Him more distinctly. And when He does, let’s respond with a wellspring of joy and gratitude that will cause us to "go and tell" about this Man who quenched our thirst and made our spirits soar!

Got Hunger? Get Filled!

Yesterday, I posted about the thirst for water AND God’s living water that will quench our thirst as we draw closer to Him. Today, it's hunger for natural food and the food of God’s Word and presence.

Our 13-day faith pilgrimage most certainly DIDN’T include a spiritual fast from food. We were literally filled with the finest food. We were well fed in each restaurant and hotel that we were in – as Psalm 81:16 says “But you would be fed with the finest of wheat; with honey from the rock I would satisfy you.” And we were, including the honeycomb we were served while in Jerusalem (shown here).

At the Mount of Temptation (hot and dry desert), we not only saw where Jesus was tempted by the enemy and we related only somewhat to His thirst, but most certainly not his hunger because we had been fed so well. We heard Jesus' response to the enemy: "It is written: 'Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.' Matt 4:4

Indeed, “Man shall not live by bread alone because our Father has prepared a banquet for us -- a feast of His presence, but we won’t have the appetite for it if we’re satisfied with something or someone else. The desire Jesus was referring to is for Him, and it's not reserved for only a few over-the-top passionate believers, but for all of us.

Psalm 107:9 tells us that God "satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things", but there’s a requirement before satisfaction comes -- we must be thirsty and hungry.

When we are spiritually hungry, we naturally desire the richness of spending time with God -- praying, attending Bible and prayer meetings, listening to teaching tapes, reading books on spiritual topics, attending conferences and retreats because days are filled with pursuing God and feeding on Him.

Don’t we wish it stayed that way? But life happens. Marriage, careers and children happen. Distractions happen. Lots of distractions like anxiety, fear, discontentment, and over-commitment keep us from that sweet intimacy that we may only find in hungering for God.

Jesus always has a table set before us of His presence, yet because we’ve been snacking on lots of other things, we aren’t hungry for Him. We try to satisfy ourselves, instead of having an insatiable hunger that can only be satisfied by fellowship with our Lord.

Matthew 34:8 says “Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him.” Honestly, "tasting" has become the motivating force in my life. I long to know Him more, and the more I crave Him like I did for certain foods when I was expecting my babies, the more I receive assurances from heaven that remind me I am feasting on Him.

While on the Mount of the Beatitudes, we heard Christ’s words from Matthew 5:6 “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness:for they shall be filled.” Lord, please make us as hungry and thirsty for You and Your presence, as we are for the best meal and drink at a 5-star restaurant! Only you can satisfy the hunger and thirst that satisfies our souls!

Checked Your Fluid Level Lately?

Day 162 of Photo Inspirations -- Checked Your Fluid Level Lately?
God wired us with a built in “low-fluid indicator.”  It's called THIRST.  If the fluid level gets low, the signals will flare.  Dry mouth. Achy head. Weak knees.  Dizziness.     If we deprive our bodies of fluid, our bodies will tell us.

God also wired us with a built in "low-spiritual fluid indicator".  If we deprive our souls of spiritual water, the signals will flare.  Heavy hearted, sad, weary, depressed, grumpy, fearful, anxious, envious, moody, angry. If we deprive ourselves of spiritual fluid, our souls will tell us.

In John 4:13-14, Jesus says, “Anyone who drinks this (natural) water will soon become thirsty again. But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life."

Jesus offers living water that will permanently satisfy our thirst.  If we feel unsatisfied with our lives, that’s called spiritual thirst. And the only One who can quench that thirst is the One who said, “I thirst.” Jesus thirsted on the cross so we don’t have to thirst. He paid for what we don’t have to pay for. He became thirsty so we never have to be thirsty again.

It's time to go to THAT FOUNTAIN that never runs dry.  It's time to "hang out" at THAT FOUNTAIN -- there, we'll  be refreshed, restored, rejuvenated and replenished......and not only will we know and feel the difference....others will know that we've been "hanging out at THE FOUNTAIN" again, and they'll want us to take them with us to get their "fluids" refilled, too.

Springs of Living Water

Day 89 of Photo Inspirations -- Springs of Living Water
Each year I MUST have my annual family photo taken. This one was at the BOK Bear Plaza fountain.  To my grandchildren's delight, the fountain wasn't on, so they could climb all over the bears.  It made for such a great family adventure.

I passed by that landmark just a few days ago and the waters were flowing freely.  I thought about my photo moments just a few months before, but I also thought about the free-flowing "Living Water".  This is Holy Week, the last week of Christ's life, remembering especially His passion and resurrection, and the "Living Water" He gave during His short 33 years of life on earth.

He had been the "Living Water" to those He healed, those He restored to life, those He gave a new future, and those He forgave and made whole.  And those who drank His living water, never thirst again.

I think about the story of the woman of Samaria who had made many mistakes, and when she came to the well for natural water, she left with "Living Water".  Her story is our story too.  It's a story where God finds us also worthy of His love in spite of our mistakes.  As a result of the encounter with Jesus, she, who had been an outcast from her own people, found out what TRUE LOVE is all about.  To be wanted, to be cared for when no one, not even herself, could see anything of value in her -- was grace indeed.   Jesus told her:  "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks THE water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, THE water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life. John 4:13

And, THAT "Living Water" she experienced could not be held in, she became an evangelist of Jesus when she ran to tell others about Him.  "Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in Him because of the woman's testimony" John 4:39-42

And those words are an invitation that should echo in our ears, too. Jesus stands at the doors of our hearts, offering to us these "living waters".  "If ANYONE is thirsty, let him come to ME and drink."  The first requirement is thirst.  It is an inate part of our humanity -- to have a spiritual thirst.  And, that thirst, is what we bring to our relationship with God.  Drinking that LIVING WATER means aligning with Him, trusting Him, receiving, and believing in Him.  When we believe, we open our hearts to receive what his grace offers. I urge you today..."Come on in.....THE WATER IS FINE!"

Drink This Water and You'll Never Thirst Again

Day 10 of 365 days of photo inspirations:
IT'S FREEZING in Texas -- and as Alexia and I made our way home from the store, our attention was drawn to the freezing water surrounding this beautiful waterfall in her neighborhood -- not a usual sight for Texas, which we associate with warmth -- not frigid cold.  But, nevertheless, as cold as it is outside, we need water on the inside.  

Water is our body's principal chemical component and makes up about 60 percent of our body weight. Every system in our body depends on water. For example, water flushes toxins out of vital organs, carries nutrients to our cells, and provides a moist environment for ear, nose and throat tissues.

Lack of water can lead to dehydration, a condition that occurs when we don't have enough water in our body to carry out normal functions. Even mild dehydration can drain our energy and make us tired.

Every day we lose water through our breath, perspiration, and other body functions.   For our body to function properly, we must replenish its water supply by consuming beverages and foods that contain water.  Medical reports state that we need at least 2 liters of water a day.

There are so many scriptures in the Bible about living water, flowing water, and my inspiration today was about the water that is thirst quenching.
  
John 4:14 "But whoever drinks of the water that I will give him, will never be thirsty again." and  Isaiah 58:11 "And the Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail."

Throughout history there have always been those who looked for the easy way to find the "fountain of youth" or a miracle water that would provide success, fulfillment, and happiness.    But most of this searching is in vain. … it is only this ‘living water,’ that water that never runs dry when we allow Him to quench our thirst.  People really do have a great spiritual thirst.  They crave a cool, satisfying drink of insight and knowledge that will soothe their parched souls. Their spirits cry out for life-sustaining experiences of peace and calm to nourish and enliven their withering hearts.

I invite you, today, to meet the GIVER of that living water.  The woman at the well was looking for water that couldn't satisfy her soul.  That H20 only provided temporary satisfaction.  But I love the outcome of that story because she met up with the TRUTH in human flesh Who revolutioned her life:  He said,  "Everyone who drinks this water (H20) will be thirsty again" but "Whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst" (John 4:14). In accepting that TRUTH, she shifted from everyday life to everlasting life.  Excuse me....must be about my day, but I'm thirsty, so I'm taking a drink of that living water!