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!

THE FOUNDERY

 

The following is a letter that I had intended for my Facebook page a couple of months ago.  Instead, I sent it to my conference superintendent.  But now, it seems appropriate to publish it for all to read.  May it stimulate you to pray for The Foundery Free Methodist Church and its new leaders!

I’ve been having the privilege of leading The Foundery Free Methodist Church in Wellsburg, WV for the last eight months as interim pastor.  This church has an amazing facility – including a full-size gym and a wonderful worship center – plus an excellent location on a main road [near a well-used city park and golf course]! 

The people of the congregation are diverse in age with each major age-level well represented! 

I work weekly with a staff of leaders who are extremely capable and committed!

Sarah Lyke was our administrator, secretary and treasurer upon my arrival.  She was my greatest source of help while I was getting started.  Her responses were always prompt and efficient!  I believe that Sarah was in constant pain as a result of her two-year battle with cancer that ended just a few weeks ago.  The church held a meaningful ‘Celebration of Life’ for her and honored her family and many friends!  Sarah will be dearly missed at The Foundery.  Please pray for her husband, Gene, and their twelve-year-old son, Gage!

Pastor Amy Openbrier leads our children’s ministry with remarkable skill and dedication!

John and Beverly Cook give us a longer view perspective on the church.  He is the Finance Team chairperson and she leads our First Impressions ministry! 

Emily and Ryan Cook lead the UPWARD ministry that involves nearly 180 children and at least thirty volunteers from the church [plus others].  Bassketball games run all day Saturdays with practices through the week every winter!  They are also assuming an expanded role as leaders in the area of helping new believers get established and growing in their faith!

Becky Sandreth Parr and her helper, Kelly ‘Sunshine’ Harris, lead our sports ministry with volleyball on Mondays and basketball on Fridays.  In July, Becky executed a Charity Softball Tournament with four teams, good competition and rewards earned for local charities!  This is a growing edge for The Foundery!

Bobby Alan and Stacy Westfall lead our youth ministry and make investments in just about everything that happens at The Foundery!  They are each Local Ministerial Candidates, which means they are aimed toward full-time Christian ministry!

JoEllen Haizlett is the newest member to the staff as the leader of our women’s ministry.  She also makes major contributions to the children’s ministry and other areas as well.

Two other key leaders who can’t attend staff meetings because of work commitments are:

David Keister is an ordained elder and leads the Christian Education area for adults overseeing Sunday School, Growth Groups and house churches.  He makes investments in many areas – especially visitation ministries!  David is a respected leader at The Foundery!

Also, Jay and Barbra Beatty lead a number of ministries at The Foundery: Media Ministries, Kenny’s Kloset, custodians and major contributions to almost everything that happens at The Foundery!  Jay is also pursuing becoming a Local Ministerial Candidate with aspirations for full-time ministry down the road!

Kevin Fiber leads our men’s ministry and is a catalyst for prayer!

With such a capable team and their deep commitment to Christ, this will be a growing and exciting place to be as the future unfolds!  Although I will not name them here, The Foundery is also blessed with an extremely committed and faithful group of men and women who serve on the Board of Administration to guide the church and establish policy! 

Two others I must mention are Jim Miller – another ordained elder – and Ryan Smith [Local Ministerial Candidate] who make regular investments in the leadership of the church along with their spouses: Melissa and Brooke respectively!

In writing like this I am failing to mention many others who make valuable and essential contributions to leading worship, special projects, welcoming team, greeters, teachers, nursery workers, media team members, senior activities, decorating and other team members who commit time, creativity and expertise to our pooled efforts!  Please forgive me for not mentioning you all by name. 

These are the people who make just about everything happen at The Foundery!  I have been blessed to make a contribution to this ministry and have prayed daily for God’s plan to unfold for the future.  Now that Bobby Westfall [mentioned above] has been designated to lead the church beginning October 6, I believe we will see a flourishing of Kingdom growth and joyful celebration.  Glory to God!