October 2006 Sweet Aroma Newsletter

“Our hearts grow empty and our efforts are in vain…” from “Pure Surrender”

“Now all this has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13)

I’ve been spending time in the book of Ecclesiastes. All is vanity! Is your life empty, meaningless and full of despair? On the flip side, do you feel you’re a good person and your life is complete and you are happy with your Sunday Jesus?

I know a gentleman that lives in my local area. He has had a business for many years. He never married. He has carried his lunch to work every day. He would only have a light or two on and always kept the heat extremely low. You could walk into his business today and feel as though you were walking back in time. I purchased an item from his store one day in 2000 and it had a coupon inside, expired in 1972! He has the same car he has had for over 30 years and I see him on his bicycle more than I ever see him in his car, Oh yes, he is well into his 80’s. My point here is he lives a very lonely life and when he passes; all his savings will most likely go to the state.

We can spend our lives searching for pleasure, wealth and success, in relationships and in our careers. Yet we always want more. There are circumstances beyond our control that can snatch away our possessions and attainments.

In Ecclesiastes, Solomon shows us how empty it is to pursue the pleasures that this life has to offer rather than a relationship with an eternal God. Nothing in this world or no one can fill the emptiness and satisfy the deep longing in our restless hearts.

No matter what the mysteries and apparent contradictions of life are, we must work towards the single purpose of knowing God. Knowledge and education have their limits. Knowing that life is futile without God should motivate the wise person to seek God first. In order to have God’s wisdom, we must get to know and honor him; and that is through his word to us- the Bible.

Solomon sums it up by explaining it this way: all people will have to stand before God and be judged for what they have done in this life. We will not be able to use life’s inconsistencies as an excuse for failing to live properly. To live properly we need to (1) recognize that human effort apart from God is futile; (2) put God first (3) receive everything good as a gift from God (4) realize that God will judge both evil and good and (5) know that God will judge the quality of every person’s life. How strange that people spend their lives striving for the very enjoyment that God gives freely as a gift.

In Christ,

Upcoming dates: Oct 14th Fall Fire for everyone

Oct 15th Trinket Community Dinner/Concert Ulster, Pa

Oct 21st Sozo’s Café Binghamton, NY

Oct 28th Valley Assembly Bazaar Athens, Pa

Nov 18th Samson Coffee House Endwell, NY

Dec 1st Victory Highway Dinner/Praise Painted Post, NY

Fall Fire:

Sweet Aroma would like to invite you (everyone – not just the ladies?) for a time of food, fellowship and a fire. Place: Karen Garrity’s House / Bring: Dish to pass, beverage and a lawn chair. Date: 10/14, 2pm-6pm. We will have a time of OPEN MIC! Do you have a talent that you would like to share? We look forward to hearing you!

** We will cancel in case of rain **