GOD’S SENSE OF SMELL

In marking up the Bible for my granddaughter, Rylie, I began the book of Leviticus this morning. I warned her that it's one of the most boring books of the Bible - BUT, GOD INCLUDED IT IN HIS HOLY WORD FOR A REASON! Therefore, keep your eyes and spiritual ears open to see and hear what God might want you to notice!

______________________________________________

I've mentioned elsewhere that for the two years I studied at Franciscan University of Steubenville, I worshipped frequently in this charismatic, Catholic environment. It was a phenomenal experience for me as I experienced a radically different form of worship.

If I've had a bias throughout my ministry, it has been my desire and attempts to make worship real and relevant to the people whom I have served. I guess there is a creative streak in me that yearns to do things differently and break through barriers of boredom and/or irrelevance. I have always felt that the worship of our AWESOME, INCREDIBLE, OMNIPOTENT, OMNISCIENT, OMNI-PRESENT, CREATIVE GOD should NEVER be boring!

Consequently, through the years, I have changed the location of worship, the order for worship, the leadership of worship, and the approach to worship frequently! It was never done to irritate people who have an appreciation for predictability or routine [although I’m sad to say that it did have that effect on some].

My desire was pure and persistent. Let’s not worship in mediocrity! Let’s innovate! Let’s be imaginative! Let’s celebrate the creativity of the One who made 73,330 species of trees, 11,500 kinds of birds on earth, and who makes people of different colors, places, sizes, and who speak 7,164 different languages!

_______________________________________________

Let me hone in on this today.

I opened by mentioning that I just read the first three chapters of Leviticus. In doing so, I underlined some words that were repeated seven times in three chapters. The words were:

A pleasing fragrance to GOD

If you’re not familiar with Leviticus, these chapters give specific instructions for how to offer Whole Burnt Offerings, Grain Offerings, and Peace Offerings.

Whole Burnt Offerings involved the sacrifice of either a bull, a sheep or goat, or a dove or pigeon [the latter was obviously God’s way of including the poor].

Grain Offerings included flour, oil and incense mixed and placed on the altar [think of the aroma of bread baking]!

Peace Offerings could be a male or female animal from the herd, but it must be without defect. Or, it could be male or female from the flock – without defect. Or, it could be a goat. These offerings were ultimately burned on the altar.

And in every one of these cases it is reported that it was A PLEASING FRAGRANCE TO GOD!

________________________________________________

Hmmmmm…

God – like many of us – seems to enjoy the smell of meat being cooked! 😊

Earlier, I mentioned the experience I had worshipping with my charismatic, Catholic friends. Catholic worship includes a censor with incense at times throughout worship! It is obvious to worshippers as this aroma finds its way through the sanctuary.

This evokes a question: Why do we ignore the sense of smell that God has blessed us with when it comes to our worship?

We all know how POWERFUL our sense of smell can be.

Every summer when my family went to Family Camp, I was abundantly aware of the smell of our cabin when my father opened the door! That aroma swept me back to previous years and experiences that were highly pleasurable! It evoked feelings and memories that were very pleasant!

If aroma has this kind of power – why don’t we use this sense in our worship of God?

__________________________________________________

From February through September of 2024, I was drafted to lead The Foundery Free Methodist Church in Wellsburg, WV. On Easter Sunday, I spoke on one of my favorite passages and described how Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus – two Pharisees - took down the body of Jesus from the cross, carried it to a new grave that Joseph had carved out for himself, embalmed the body of Jesus WITH 100 POUNDS OF MYRRH AND ALOES.

To drive this point home, in closing I offered each worshipper an incense stick to take home and burn. As I stepped down to make these available, I was inundated with people coming from every direction. I quickly recruited helpers to pass out these simple, inexpensive gifts! The desire to smell the frangrance that surely led Mary and the other women to Jesus’ tomb on Resurrection Morning while it was still dark struck a chord with the hearts of our worshippers!

I burned my stick that afternoon in my study while worshipping God and marveling at His grace! I sensed His presence with me and believe I heard Him say that it was indeed, A PLEASING FRAGRANCE!

LET'S GO TO GOD'S HOUSE!

It happened just a few weeks ago.  Debbie had been fighting a virus for several weeks.  We chose not to go to church for two consecutive Sundays. However, one of those Sundays I just really had a strong desire to attend a Free Methodist Church.

Why - you ask?

It will sound strange to some, but I just felt a strong desire to step forward and pray at the altar.

Don't leap to conclusions.  I did not step away from God.  I was not guilty of any unusual sins.  It wasn't even guilt that motivated this desire.  If anything, I'd describe it as a longing.  

The church that I currently worship in doesn't have an altar [I notice that many churches have done away with the altar].  It doesn't encourage individual prayer during worship.  We pray collectively together and under the leadership of our pastor, but not person with person or in small groups.  [This does happen in our Sunday School classes.]

I just felt like a child who wanted to sidle up beside a parent for safety and security.  I wanted assurance. I needed to express my dependence on God and enjoy His comfort.  

It's a tradition in worship that I grew up with.  Altar prayer was always welcomed and encouraged in my 'growing-up' church.  It was a common practice for people to slip forward during worship and spend time praying at the altar.  Sometimes a group of people might even go forward and pray together at the altar.  I really miss this.

While leading The Foundery Free Methodist Church [Wellsburg, WV] last year, I was immediately impressed with the high priority for prayer during worship.  Volunteer prayer leaders stood [often couples] at the front sides of the sanctuary throughout the worship time.  People were free to approach these leaders to receive attention and prayer.  There were also two short sections of altar in front of the platform that were frequently used for private prayer.  

A couple of years ago, Debbie and I visited The Rock Church in Poland, Ohio, to hear a former associate give the message.  All throughout the service, people approached the altar alone or in groups to pray.  I went forward a couple of times to pray with people that I knew.  The freedom to pray was obviously a high priority in this congregation - and it is a beautiful thing.

I continually struggle with the highly predictable format for worship seen in so many churches.  These environments must be so awkward and uncomfortable for anyone new who walks in to participate.  

During my leadership years I was a bit of an iconoclast [a person who challenges traditions and formulated patterns].  I believed that by frequently changing forms and structures you could keep interest and engagement high.  I came to resolve that worship was a verb and should activate God's people in animated, meaningful and exciting processes that enabled them to worship God with all their being!  There are so many possibilities: humor, choral readings, spiritual dance, drama, as well as the nearly unlimited advantages available due to technology.  

The desire was to create an atmosphere of expectation and anticipation that caused people to come to worship wondering what to expect this week!  Our hope was to replicate King David's attitude expressed in Psalm 122:1  [New Century Version]

I was happy when they said to me, 'Let's go to the Temple of the LORD.'

We worship the God of all creation!  This God created us with various gifts, abilities, interests and traits.  He created a magnificent and impressive array of animals, birds, and fish.  He created our earth with widely divergent environments.  He gave us sight that is ignited by an explosion of colors from fall leaves, birds feathers, sunrises and sunsets, awe-inspiring scenery, and so much more!  He has given us hearing that allows us to marvel at bird chirping, coyote calls, the ringing of bells, our choice of music, the captivating voices of family and friends, and the sound of rain hitting the trees and the ground.  He has created us in His own image, yet gifted us with unique abilities, interests and talents that make every one of us special!  We delight in the skills, creations and diversions of those who populate our lives!

Consequently, HOW DARE WE PLAN OR ENGAGE IN WORSHIP THAT IS MONOTONOUS, REPETITIVE OR BORING!!!!  We can do better!  

CAMP MEETING

The history of camp meetings is quite interesting.  It goes back to the early days in our country when masses of people were pushing west and establishing new frontier settlements.  Methodism is credited with being the creator and promoter of this innovation.  Here’s a snippet of its development:

As the name implies, those who attended such meetings came prepared to camp out, gathering at the prearranged time and place from distances as great as 30 to 40 miles away. Families pitched their tents around a forest clearing where log benches and a rude preaching platform constituted an outdoor church that remained in almost constant session for three or four days. As many as 10,000 to 20,000 people were reported at some meetings. People came partly out of curiosity, partly out of a desire for social contact and festivity, but primarily out of their yearning for religious worship. Activities included preaching, prayer meetings, hymn singing, weddings, and baptisms. The theology of the preachers varied, but a sudden conversion experience was usually emphasized.  [https://www.britannica.com/topic/camp-meeting]

It's difficult to overemphasize the impact of the camp meeting movement.  Stories abound from these encampments.  These frontier preachers were a hard stock of men who often had to settle rabble-rousers in order to be able to continue their preaching! 

But, even after the movement became formalized in many areas into two-week interventions with properties developed to meet the needs of the people, the church held on to this outreach that had originally been improvisational.  Gradually but certainly the purpose of these camp meetings became less and less outreach and evangelism and more and more fellowship.

Most of these camps that have survived into the 21^st century have lost their sense of purpose and failed to redefine it for the current day. 

A caveat

During the late 1980’s and part of the 1990’s, as a young leader, I led such a camp in Ohio.  Realizing the need for updating and transitioning, I initiated many changes to try to refocus and rechannel the camp. 

• We changed it from ‘Camp Meeting’ to ‘Family Camp’.
• We established a family-oriented morning chapel that was fun, high-energy and gave a positive start to the day.
• Essentially, family camp was a simultaneous youth camp, children’s camp, and adult camp.
• Afternoon fun activities were planned to engage all either as participants or spectators.

Many of the innovations that we established in that day unfortunately became institutionalized – and have consequently lost a lot of their impact.  Examples would be:

• Establishing a youth night where the youth led the service.
• Giving the youth who work in the dining hall a day off.
• Rewriting the camp rules [which was met with waves of opposition].
• Arranging with a nearby park pool to have a morning swim time for campers only [we later incorporated baptisms into this time].
• Maintaining a STRONG emphasis on ‘community living’ to sustain mutual respect.
• Youth who were unattended by family had to acquire an adult sponsor to oversee their appropriate participation in camp and observance of camp rules.

Innovation became rare with a few exceptions.   [See footnote]

Camp attendances – across the country – have plummeted since the turn of the 21^st century.  Many have closed.  Most are struggling. 

Those that survive will be the ones that are effective at reinventing themselves with a purpose that connects with 21^st century people.  Maintaining a camp for the sake of nostalgia will not be enough to sustain interest! 

In 2020, when COVID caused our family camp to be cancelled, about fifteen families decided to camp together at a campground on a lake and with a pool.  Everyone cooked their own meals.  Campfires in the evening brought groups together.  Sports activities filled the afternoon hours!  All-in-all, everyone loved it!  We had the personnel to add spiritual dynamics to the gathering – although that did not happen. 

It was an unintended innovation that stands in stark comparison to the burden and responsibility of maintaining property that sits unused for 355 days a year! 

The American church has been remarkably stubborn about maintaining traditional programs at all costs!  Consider Sunday School which began in Great Britain in 1870. 

Or Vacation Bible School which was an innovation around the turn of the twentieth century.  In spite of an identified decline in these institutions [including family camp], many churches hang on to them and resist the need to be creative in engaging people in relevant ways. 

FOOTNOTE:

This camp currently has new leadership and seems committed to revitalizing.  After a period of decline, it shows promise for growth and hope for a repurposed future.  Interestingly, young adults are returning with their young children in hopes of giving them a dose of the 'family camp experience'!  😊

GOD SPEAKING: "I Would Choose You Again!"

I just read Isaiah 14 from The Voice Bible.  I know, it’s easy to get bored reading through the Old Testament prophets. But I found this chapter to be totally captivating purely because of its sincerity and creativity! 

But before we go any farther I must explain something.  

There are passages of scripture that appear to have a double meaning.  Part of Isaiah 14 certainly falls into that category.  Mid-chapter, there are verses [12-16] that are often interpreted as referring to Satan.  I have no intention of contesting that practice;  actually, I have taught from that perspective and would love to do so again.  However, I want to be clear that in this article I am taking the passage as a clearly historical record of God's promise to deliver Israel from the hands of the king of Babylon.  This ruthless ruler would ultimately defeat and utterly destroy Jerusalem in 587 B.C.  Until that date, however, the prophets of God were desperately trying to generate change in the hearts of the people of Israel (northern kingdom) and Judah (southern kingdom).  

Isaiah is one of these prophets and delivers a message in chapter 14 that is both powerful and creative!  Of course, the source of Isaiah's [and every prophet's message] is God - but surely God also incorporates the personality, gifts and qualities of the individual prophets.  

So, before I lose you, let's observe two points:  one powerful and one creative!

POWERFUL

It's a wonderful thing to be chosen!  Remember your youth when the gym teacher put several of the best athletes in the middle and told them to choose from the rest to make teams?  To be chosen quickly was so affirming and brought instant relief!  Woe to those who were chosen last; they knew in their hearts that no one really wanted them on their team.  Gym teachers should have been wiser!  

Or think of the grandest moments in a woman's life when a man kneels before her and asks if she will be his wife!  When Troy was quite young, he once asked his mom: "If dad could choose anyone in the world to marry, why did he choose you?"  Troy's perspective was a little skewed and I'm sure his mom helped to correct it that day.  But really!  What more powerful thing can a husband and wife say to each other on their anniversary than: "If I could do it all over, I'd choose you!"  

God knows this!  

He has seen Israel (northern kingdom) drift away from their dedication to Him and His kingdom principles.  This grieved God!  They had immensely disappointed and rejected Him!  And yet, God has never given up on them!  He has consistently sent prophets to try to woo or warn them back into His grace!  God has extended the time of judgment repeatedly in hopes that - given more time - they would repent and return.  

Even now - as the Babylonian king is threatening their destruction - God is urgently speaking to them:

For the Eternal will extend mercy to Jacob, this family of God’s people. God will choose Israel all over again, and He will settle them in comfort and rest back on their land. [all quotes from The Voice Bible]

In spite of rebellion, serving false gods, disobedience, immorality, and decadent living, God still tells Israel that HE WOULD CHOOSE THEM AGAIN!

Unbelievable, right?  Here's a perfect example of why we sing: "AMAZING GRACE"!!!!!!

CREATIVE

Isaiah records for the people of Israel's pleasure a dialogue from the place of the dead [be it Sheol or Hell - a discussion for another blog].  

First, Isaiah gives voice to the people as they cry out in relief as the king of Babylon is no longer a threat.

Ah, Israel, there will be a time when the Eternal will give you rest from the burden of your labor, the pain of your servitude. And then you will take up this chant against the fallen king of Babylon:  [vs.3-4] 

O Babylon, the land of the dead is excited to greet you at its door.
Your king will enter the grave with ghastly pomp.
It stirs the shadows and spirits of the dead—all long forgotten leaders—
it arouses all the dethroned kings of the nations to welcome your arrival.
These departed souls will respond to you with rattling voices, [vs.9-10]

Then, Isaiah continues this contrived dialogue by giving voices to those who are already dead!

Departed Souls: Even you, who were so powerful and unstoppable in life,
have been weakened just like us!
All of your pomp and power and the music of your harps join you here
where the dead abide,
Where maggots squirm beneath you,
where worms cover you like a blanket.

 [The 'Departed Souls' continue to speak in terms that - we mentioned earlier - have a double meaning.]

My, how you’ve fallen from the heights of heaven!
O morning star, son of the dawn!
What a star you were, as you menaced and weakened the nations,
but now you’ve been cut down, fallen to earth.
Remember how you said to yourself,
“I will ascend to heaven—reach higher and with more power—
and set my throne high above God’s own stars?”
Remember how you thought you could be a god, saying:
“I will sit among them at the mount of assembly in the northern heights.
I will rise above the highest clouds and
make myself like the Most High”?
Hah! Instead, you have sunk like a stone to where the dead abide.
You’ve hit bottom of the bottommost pit.  [vs.12-15]

Isaiah gives the people of Israel a graphic picture of the future of the king of Babylon!  

In a day of cinema and virtual reality goggles, we may not find Isaiah's words to be that dramatic.  But we're talking 700 years before Christ!  Isaiah was a gifted man who likely spoke dramatically and even acted out this message when he gave it!  He uses all his powers of influence to convince the people of Israel to put their trust in the One God - Yahweh!  

__________________________________

I believe the church needs to generate far more impressive creativity in the directing of our worship and the delivery of our messages.  I have cited this many times - forgive me - but I believe that our worship should be engaging, creative, stimulating, participatory, and relevant!  For worship to be boring is a travesty!  After all, we're worshipping the God who made zebras, giraffes, monkeys and parrots!  

Pardon me, please, but sometimes when I look at the bulletin I just want to check out.  It looks exactly the same as last week!  Is this the best we can do?

__________________________________

Thank You Father, Jesus and Holy Spirit!

Thank You that You would choose us all over again!  Thank You for loving us with such devotion and patience!  

And thank You for color, four seasons, variant geography, diverse giftings, unique people, divergent ideas, distinct perspectives, and different perceptions.  Thank You for illustrating creativity so vividly and so abundantly!  You continually amaze us!  May our worship be vibrant and mirror Your creativity!  May You always be pleased with the offerings we bring You when we worship!  

For the Kingdom's sake.  Amen!

FURTHER THOUGHTS ON THE BIRTH OF ISAAC

 At the time when the promise of descendants was made to Abraham, he and his wife Sarah were childless.  So God's promise strained their credulity to the limit.  How could they have a stream of descendants if they did not have even one?

Then the years passed.

Abraham turned to God at one point and complained that the heir to his estate would be Eliezer of Damascus.  But the Lord assured him that his heir would be his own son coming from his own body [Genesis 15:1-4].  And Abraham believed God.

Next, Sarah had the bright idea that she would give her Egyptian maidservant Hagar to Abraham as his concubine.  "Perhaps I can build a family through her," she said.  Abraham agreed, Hagar conceived, and Ishmael was born.  But Sarah became jealous, and it was obvious that Ishmael was not the promised child [16:1-6].

Fourteen years after the promise - they got it right, after the cynicism of laughter.  Isaac was born and the elderly couple took joy in counting his fingers and toes.

We are created in His image.  He gave us minds and creativity.  Most of the time, that's a blessing.  However, sometimes, we use our minds to try to fill in gaps that are better left to God and His timing.

When in debt, Debbie and I tried consolidation loans to resolve our problems.  It increased our debt!  We also tried raising our level of income;  that was before we learned that 'Expenditure rises to meet income!'  Increasing our income never helped reduce our debt.  Our ideas were creative, but never solved our problems.

I have a strong tendency to suggest ways for God to answer my prayers.  How audacious!  Who am I?  He is the Lord and Creator of the universe!  He needs my puny input?  I DON'T THINK SO!  Yet, I persist in this wasted effort.  

Oh God,

I trust You!  

I trust You to oversee and direct my life to Your greatest advantage!

I trust You to watch over, guide and protect me and mine with the utmost care and attention!

Help me to stop trying to solve my problems and simply bring them to YOU!

Amen.

[These thoughts triggered by an article, "The Birth of Isaac" Week 5:  The Patriarchs - From Creation to Christ]