A Sweet Fragrance

The scent of willing sacrifice
of humble servanthood
free will choosing
to give our lives over
an offering to God
in service to our neighbors
sharing grace with those around us
to all to the ends of the earth
a sweet fragrance
offered unto God


September 17, 2010
Ephesians 5:1 (posted on Ruth’s office door)
&
various translations of Ephesians 5:1-2
“Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour.” (King James Version)
&
“Watch what God does, and then you do it, like children who learn proper behavior from their parents. Mostly what God does is love you. Keep company with him and learn a life of love. Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn't love in order to get something from us but to give everything of himself to us. Love like that.” (The Message)
&
“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” (New Revised Standard Version)
&
“Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” (NIV)
&
“Therefore, be imitators of God, as dearly loved children. And walk in love, as the Messiah also loved us and gave Himself for us, (A) a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God.” (Holman Christian Standard Bible)
&
posting of September 15, 2010
to Ruth’s blog, A Handmaiden of the Lord,
“Oh...What We Miss”
http://ahandmaidenofthelord.blogspot.com/2010/09/ohwhat-we-miss.html
&
“Child/Children”
http://ahandmaidenofthelord.blogspot.com/2010/08/childchildren.html
August 10, 2010 posting on her blog,
http://www.ahandmaidenofthelord.blogspot.com
A Handmaiden of the Lord
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss, of
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,120+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.