“Take for yourself spices, stacte and onycha and galbanum, spices with pure frankincense…And with it you shall make incense…salted, pure and holy” (Exodus 30:34-35 NASB). Take a peek with me into God’s recipe file. Instead of the categories of mains, sides, and desserts, His recipe box includes sections for faith, hope and prayer. Let’s return again to the ingredient …
The Anointing Flask
Jesus, I’ve been thinking about the alabaster vial from which you were anointed (Matthew 26:7). Doubtless, the flask itself was ornately carved and had traveled from a great distance, as alabaster was native to Egypt not Israel. A calcite formation, ancient alabaster was usually from caves of stalagmitic limestone. Easily carved with a knife, how amazing it …
He Speaks
Beloved, I know that the reality of your spiritual senses has been a new concept for you. The sight, sound, taste, smell and feel of the spiritual is difficult for you to grasp. But, do not let your heart be troubled (John 14:1). Too often your thoughts and emotions are like the agitator of a washing machine, twisting …
Prayer of the Senses
Holy Father, I worship You today, not only as Creator of spiritual senses, but for patterning them after Your reality. Just as You gave me physical senses when I was born, You have bestowed these spiritual ones to me at my New Birth. Thank You for giving me the option to connect with You. All too often, …
The Smell of Heaven
Because the idea of having a spiritual “sense of smell” is so hard for me to grasp, I’ve been bouncing it off others. After one of my recent retreats, a lady quietly related to me the following story: “Several years ago, I was sitting at the death bed of my godly aunt, whom we all respected dearly. At …
Does God Have a Sense of Smell?
I could smell the LongShan temple before I could see it, as the heavy essence of incense filled the humid air. As I stepped across the raised, temple-threshold in Taipei, I caught sight of two large round containers filled with the burning joss sticks of the worshipers. Tucking out of the way, I began to take in …