Fire and smoke seem to be a theme for me in this season.   Fire can be good or bad, and the smoke and smell from the flame can be wonderful or terrible.    A fire in the fireplace with Tamarack wood creates a peaceful  room, but a fire in the middle of the living room on the carpet would not be peaceful, not would it produce a pleasing aroma.  The smell of a campfire with friends produces  wonderful memories of fellowship, but wildfires can cause extreme damage.      We saw two large wildfires outside of Billings on a recent drive, part of the natural order of creation and good in some settings if contained and controlled ----but terribly destructive if not.

I spoke with a gal on the phone who wanted to become a missionary and said that her greatest prayer request would be that the passion and fire in her heart will not go out.   That must have been a pleasing offering and sacrifice unto God’s hearing,  the prayer of a  pleasing aroma, like incense, for His pleasure.

Our car stereo fried the other day and produced the terrible smell of an electrical short.   The odor is still hanging around a bit, reminding us that easy music will not be available for now.   Perhaps this is an opportunity to depend on God to bring a new song to our hearts and offer songs as incense to Him.

Father, may our prayers be as pleasing incense from the altar of our hearts to the golden altar of your throne.     May the passion of our hearts be to bring glory to your name among all peoples.