Scents

God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day. Genesis 1:31

“Come and see what God has done, his awesome deeds for mankind!” Psalm 66:5

During our recent sermon series on nature, two magazine articles I read made me think of how scents correlate with our nature experience, but also slowing down and paying attention.

One was in TIME magazine, an essay listing the benefits of “stopping to smell the roses”. This phrase is often used to describe how we should take time to notice things and not rush through life, but in this case the author meant it literally.

Benefits of this include:

We’re experiencing the world through physical engagement, not digitally (in other words, you can’t smell a flower on your iPhone.) Try going for a “scent walk” in your neighborhood or on a nature trail…it’s a lesson in paying attention!

Here’s something you may not know: when you intentionally stop to smell something you anticipate being pleasant (in my opinion this is key: if it’s testing the milk for sourness, disregard!), your heart rate slows and your nervous system “shifts”. In a survey noted in Reader’s Digest, prior to COVID in 2020, we didn’t rate our sense of smell as highly as other senses. But, like anything taken for granted, if we are threatened with its loss it becomes more important.

Our emotions are impacted more by scent than our other senses. Certain scents can trigger relaxation and calmness. Others are more energizing (citrus, pine, etc.). I think of when I’m out photographing nature, the smell of alfalfa and how it brings me back to my childhood on the farm. Our scent memories are shaped in such a way that they are personal and affected by genetics and cultural backgrounds.

Back to that suggestion to go on a "scent walk": you'll likely enjoy the benefits of slowing down, being in nature, and taking your mind off the concerns of the day. A good way to appreciate the wonder of God's world!

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for this world you’ve created. Thank you for allowing us to experience it with our senses. Help us to keep curiosity and wonder close at hand. Amen.

Donna Gustafson

I intentionally chose a couple of photos that many will be able to "smell through the screen")!

He Helps Me to be Brave

Fear and trembling have beset me; horror has overwhelmed me. I said, “Oh, that I had the wings of a dove! I would fly away and be at rest. I would flee far away and stay in the desert; I would hurry to my place of shelter, far from the tempest and storm.” As for me, I call to God, and the Lord saves me. Evening, morning and noon I cry out in distress, and he hears my voice. He rescues me unharmed from the battle waged against me, even though many oppose me.” Psalm 55:5-8

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10

“The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock in whom I take refuge.” Psalm 18:2

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.” Matthew 7:24-25

As a teen, I was often shy, insecure and awkward—which was very difficult. Talking to someone I didn't know well or speaking up in class made me sooo anxious. I desperately wanted to be more socially adept, but struggled with fears of rejection and ridicule. How could I face those fears, which were sometimes not unfounded, when my instinct was to stay curled up in my comfort zone of quietness? 

Slowly, but surely, I began putting myself out there, and found a few successes. I believe these small acts of bravery were made possible by my involvement in church and the encouragement of my parents and friends. More specifically, I believe God was using those circumstances and people to build me up.

Though I knew God back then, I didn't yet have a close relationship with him. The cool thing is, that as my confidence grew, so did my relationship with God. I learned to trust and rely on Him more, and that made all the difference. By the time I was a young adult, I was finally listening to the Holy Spirit, opening my Bible more, praying more, getting more involved in church ministries and most importantly, loving Jesus more. 

In recent years, I've faced very difficult circumstances that required a new level of bravery. For example, when my dear mom needed me to sit with her in hospice—to share meaningful conversations with her, and be supportive, caring and present—it seemed like a daunting task. (All I wanted to do was fall apart.) But since I knew Whom I could call on, Who would be with me and Who would be my Rock, I did not fall apart. God whispered, “Don't be afraid. I will strengthen you and help you.” And sure enough, He did. Every time God has helped me to be brave, my courage and my faith have been strengthened. I know there will be more difficult circumstances ahead, but thankfully, He's given me a rock-solid foundation on which to build my life.

Sharon Irvin

 * What’s Your Story? 

This summer, we invited members of our Eastridge community to explore ABCs of Faith: Simple Stories for Complex Times. In this series, we will be exploring stories from the Bible that tell us about God and God’s people. But our faith is also carried through our own stories.

When someone asks, “What’s your story?” they’re asking about the moments that shaped you: the people, experiences, challenges, and turning points that made you who you are. Scripture is full of such stories—and so are we.  

Throughout the series, we’ll offer prompts connected to the themes we’re exploring. You’re invited to share a brief reflection on any prompt that resonates with you—especially a moment that changed your mind, your heart, or your life. Selected stories may be shared (with your permission) in our newsletter, devotionals, or even during worship. 

Words from Psalm 94

When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy. Psalm 94:19 

Words from Zephaniah

The Lord your God is in your midst...he will rejoice over you with joy, He will be quiet in His love. Zephaniah 3:17 

Live in the Light

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. 1 John 1:7

Photosynthesis is the process by which a green plant uses the energy from the light of the sun to convert carbon dioxide and water into its own food for growth. Picture the simple experiments in your elementary school science classes which were designed to demonstrate the concept: grass seeds on soil in a tray, partially covered, sitting beside the window; or sprouts in shoe boxes, some with and some without lids. Do you remember the stark contrast between the plants which received adequate light and those which did not? 

Just as science textbooks explain that light is essential to the lives of plants, our Bible explains in many different passages how the light of the Lord Jesus is essential to the lives of Christians. For example, Paul writes to the Ephesians, “Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness but rather expose them.” The author of Hebrews writes, “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word.” And in John’s gospel, Jesus says, “Are there not twelve hours of daylight: A man who walks by day will not stumble, for he sees by this world’s light. It is when he walks by night that he stumbles, for he has no light.” 

Prayer: Lord, you are our everlasting light and our salvation, and Jesus is the radiance of your glory. May our words and deeds also reflect your glory. Shine your light on us so that we will not stumble in the darkness. Just as the green plants use sunlight as energy to sustain life, let us use your light as energy to sustain our lives and produce good fruits. We ask these things in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Judith Keller (reprinted from the Advent Devotional - 2015)

Who is Our Neighbor?

“On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. ‘Teacher’ he asked, ‘what must I do to inherit eternal life?’  “What is written in the Law?”  he replied.  “How do you read it?” He answered, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind,” and “Love your neighbor as yourself.”  “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied.  “Do this and you will live.” Luke 10:25-28

Watching the news every night, it’s hard to understand why “we all just can’t get along.” With wars in the Middle East, the Ukraine, Sudan…violence, sacrifice, and death are pictured in graphic horror. Until scenes of modern cities being leveled and people wearing western clothing similar to ours began to show up, it was easy to think, “the people who can’t co-exist are religiously, ethnically, socially different than I am.” Now the scenes of violence look like our home country. 

We don’t have to look far to realize there are violent rifts among citizens of the United States. We haven’t devolved into the same level of aggression seen in other countries, but hatefulness and repulsive verbal attacks have become common and are accepted with complacency. 

Luke brings us a message that is straight from Jesus’ words, “Love your neighbor.” When the expert in the law asks, “Who is my neighbor?” He may be hoping Jesus will exclude the people whose skin is a different color, who came into the county illegally, who speak out against the political leaders, who insult and denounce the poor, but no! Jesus says everyone is our neighbor. No exceptions, no prerequisites, every person who exists deserves our love.

Jesus is asking us to do something that is very difficult and sometimes socially unappreciated. If I show mercy to someone hated by many, am I weak? Am I a sucker? Shouldn’t they get a job, sober up, or go back to their home country; what do I owe them? Jesus says you need to use all your strength and all your resources to help them simply because they are your neighbor.

I have wept in the night

For the shortness of sight

That to somebody’s need made me blind,

But I never have yet

Felt a tinge of regret

For being a little too kind.

                                  - C. R. Gibson 

Prayer: Dear Lord God, help me to see my neighbor’s needs and respond to them with love and mercy. Let me use my resources, my heart, my soul, my strength, and my mind to minister to my neighbors and help them see the hope God brings to all of us. Amen. 

Carol McClain (reprinted from April 2024)

Great is the Lord

Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; His greatness no one can fathom. Psalm 145:3