Diffusing the Fragrance

Ointment and perfume . . .

. . . delight the heart . . .

. . .  and the sweetness of a man's friend . . .

. . . does so by hearty counsel.  Proverbs 27:9

Because of the fragrance . . .

. . . of your good ointments . . .

. . . Your name is ointment poured forth; . . .

. . . therefore the virgins love you.  Song of Solomon 1:3

And when Jesus was in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, a woman, Mary, came to Him, having an alabaster flask of very costly ointment  . . . oil of spikenard . . . and she poured it on His head as He sat at the table, and anointed the feet of Jesus,  and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil. His disciples were indignant, saying, "To what purpose is this waste?  For this fragrant oil might have been sold for much and given to the poor." But Jesus said to them, "Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a good work for Me . . . for in pouring this fragrant oil on My body, she did it for My burial.

Matthew 26:6-12, John 12:3-7

Now thanks be to God who always leads us in 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.  To the one we are the aroma of death to death, and to the other the aroma of life to life.  2 Corinthians 2:14-16

Therefore be followers of God as dear children.  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.  Ephesians 5:1,2

Photos

My Mother's Day Rose

"Elle" - extremely fragrant, exhibition quality, hybrid tea rose.

Glorious Liberty

Now the LORD is the Spirit . . .

. . .  and where the Spirit of the LORD is . . .

 

. . .  there is liberty.  2 Corinthians 3:17



Let Your mercies come also to me, O LORD - Your salvation according to Your word.  So shall I have an answer for him who reproaches me, for I trust in Your word.  And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth, for I have hoped in Your ordinances.  So shall I keep Your law continually, forever and ever.  And I will walk at liberty, for I seek Your precepts. 

Psalm 119:41-45

The Spirit of the LORD God is upon Me, because the LORD has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and the opening of the prison door to those who are bound; to proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD . . .  Isaiah 61:1,2a

. . . because the creature itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.  Romans 8:21

Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage . . .  For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.  Galations 5:1,13

But He who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.  James 1:25

Photos

Lady Liberty, Las Vegas, Nevada

Under the Tree

"Then the LORD appeared to him (Abraham) by the terebinth trees of Mamre . . .

. . . as he was sitting in the tent door in the heat of the day.

So he lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing by him . . .



. . . and when he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them, and bowed himself to the ground . . .



. . . and said, "My LORD, if I have now found favour in Your sight . . .




. . . do not pass on by Your servant . . .




Please let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yoursleves under the tree.  And I will bring a morsel of bread that you may refresh your hearts." Genesis18:1-5

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the LORD and in His law he meditates day and night.  He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither, and whatever he does shall prosper.  Psalm 1:1-3

But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God;

I trust in the mercy of God forever and ever.  Psalm 52:8

The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree, he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.  Those who are planted in the house of the LORD, shall flourish in the courts of our God.  They shall still bear fruit in old age; they shall be fresh and flourishing . . .

Psalm 92:12-14

Sing, O heavens, for the LORD has done it!  Shout, you lower parts of the earth; break forth into singing you mountians, O forest, and every tree in it!  For the LORD has redeemed Jacob, and glorified Himself in Israel.  Isaiah 44:23

Like an apple tree among the trees of the woods, so is my beloved among the sons.  I sat down in his shade with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste.  Song of Solomon 2:3

Photos

Fort George Park, Prince George, BC

Surrey Centrel Cemetery, Surrey, BC

Crescent Beach, Surrey, BC

Fleetwood Park, Surrey, BC

Hawthorne Rotary Park, Surrey, BC





Clouds of Heaven



He stretches out the north over empty space; He hangs the earth on nothing. He binds up the water in His thick cloud, yet the clouds are not broken under it . . .




. . .  He covers the face of His throne, and spreads His cloud over it.  Job 26:7-9



"He rode upon a cherub and flew; and He was seen upon the wings of the wind.  He made darkness canopies around Him, dark waters and thick clouds of the skies." 
 2 Samuel 22:11,12



Behold, God is great, and we do not know Him; nor can the number of His years be discovered.  For He draws up drops of water, which distill as rain from the mist, which the clouds drop down and pour abundantly on man.  Indeed, can anyone understand the spreading of clouds . . . Job 36:26-29a



"Listen to this, O Job; stand still and consider the wondrous works of God.  Do you know when God dispatches them, and causes the light of His cloud to shine?  Do you know the balance of clouds, those wondrous works of Him who is perfect in knowledge?"  Job 37:14-16

"Can you lift up your voice to the clouds, that an abundance of water may cover you?  Can you send out lightnings, that they may go, and say to you, 'Here we are!?  Who has put wisdom in the mind? Or who has given understanding to the heart?  Who can number the clouds by wisdom? Or who can pour out the bottles of heaven, when the dust hardens to clumps and the clods cling together?  Job 38:34-28

Ascribe strength to God; His excellence is over Israel,

and His strength is in the clouds. 

O God, You are more awesome than Your holy places. 

The God of Israel is He who gives strength and power to His people.  Psalm 68:34,35

The LORD reigns; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad!  Clouds and darkness surround Him; Righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne . . . He lays the beams of His upper chambers in the waters. Who makes the clouds His chariot, who walks on the wings of the wind.

Psalm 97:1,2; 104:3

Your mercy, O LORD, is in the heavens and Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.  Your righteousness is like the great mountains; Your judgements are a great deep; O LORD you preserve man and beast.  Psalm 36:5,6

And a cloud came and overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, "This is My beloved Son.  Hear Him!"  Mark 9:7

O Israel, you will not be forgotten by Me!  I have blotted out, like a thick cloud, your transgressions, and like a cloud your sins.  Return to Me, for I have redeemed you."  Isaiah 44:21b,22

 . . . and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.  Matthew 24:30b

Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.  Acts 1:9

Therefore . . . since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Hebrews 12:1,2

Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, and they also who pierced Him . . . Even so, Amen . . .   Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the LORD in the air.  And thus we shall always be with the LORD .  Therefore, comfort one another with these words. Revelation 1:9, 1 Thessalonians 4:17

Photos

Crescent Beach, Surrey, BC

Doran Bay Resort, Morrisburg, Ontario

Fisgard Lighthouse, Victoria, BC