Evangel for May 28, 2005

Fragrance of God’s Love

“Women”, ‘Fragrance of God’s Love’ was the theme for the first Women’s Conference of the North Bahamas Mission of Seventh-day Adventist.  This special event was held at the Shiloh Seventh-day Adventist Church on May 20 – 21, 2005.  The Conference began with inspiriting songs of praise and worship.  As the evening progressed, the members were pleased to welcome the president, Dr. Keith D. Albury who in turn brought greetings.

The speaker for the Friday evening service was, Victoria Jordine of the Shiloh church, a dedicated Christian lady whom God has used in the past to deliver his messages.  On this occasion, she was no less powerful as she explained that the word “Fragrance suggests an encounter with Jesus who is the source of all fragrance.  Using the Master’s experience with the woman at the well, she invited everyone to be touched by Him as well.  In a candle lighting ceremony, the ladies recommitted themselves for service.  A special prayer of dedication and recommitment on their behalf was offered by the president, Dr. Keith D. Albury.

After a wonderful evening in a lovely garden setting, the first session ended.  The guest soloist for the evening was Mernerva Kemp of Grand Bahama.  On Sabbath morning, we continued to celebrate in the garden.  There, in reflection, we met Eve who confessed her experience with the fruit, sin, her disgrace and downfall.  But God in his love and mercy allowed the gentle breeze of love to blow over her and she was forgiven.  Also, in the garden, was the famous Mary who received such peace in her life when she met Jesus.  What a story Dorcas had to tell!  How happy she was to receive more time to live to spread His fragrance.  And what a testimony the woman with the issue of blood had to share!  She pressed through the crowd, touched Jesus and was healed.

We paused for a rest and a brief study of the word.  We saw that Jesus took the time to touch the lives of people of different levels in the society.  These included church leaders, children, the crowd that hailed him as King, and even blind Bartimeaeus who had nothing but faith to depend on.  This strong belief, resulted in Bartimaeus receiving both physical and spiritual ‘light’.

Prayers, music and songs of praise wafted on the air amidst the trees and flowers of the garden church and we were truly blessed.  Energetic, dynamic and talented Aileen Sands, the Women’s Ministries leader and for the North Bahamas Mission and local church elder was the speaker for the Divine Hour Service.  In a fiery heart searching sermon supported fervently by the congregation especially the men, she called on the women of the church to show more gratitude to God, be positive, take on the aroma of Christ and let people smell the fragrance of His love when they visit our churches.  What kind of scent do loved ones smell?  Is it death or the fragrance of life?  Are we known only as religious women or women with a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ?  Do you exhibit a spirit of forgiveness she queried? 

 With these thoughts to ponder, she admonished all the ladies to take the advice that was given to Euodias and Syntyche in Philippians 4:2 to be of one mind and united in God.  In order to stand in difficult times, everyone needs that encounter with God.  Acts 2:1-4 showed that the Apostles were on one accord on the day of Pentecost.

The afternoon and final session featured various talents in songs, music, skits and a final charge, by Alice Tinker to be women of excellence and fragrance who have truly been with the Saviour and ready to do His will as we allow our dreams to become reality.

Conference 2005 is now History but it has left a wonderful spring flavour in our hearts.

To the Women’s Ministries Team “Congratulations” for a job well done.