05/31/2026
A Birthday Tribute
(Psalm 133 and the Holy Anointing Oil)
“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brothers to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious oil [of consecration] poured on the head, Coming down on the beard, Even the beard of Aaron, Coming down upon the edge of his [priestly] robes [consecrating the whole body]. It is like the dew of [Mount] Hermon Coming down on the hills of Zion; For there the LORD has commanded the blessing: life forevermore.”
Pastor Nelson Foster, today is your birthday, so we honor you as one upon whom the Lord has poured His precious anointing — much like the holy oil that flowed down Aaron’s head, beard, and robes. You have stood as a faithful leader and shepherd, allowing the oil of God’s presence to flow freely through your life and ministry, consecrating not only yourself but everyone the Lord has placed under your care.
The Flowing Oil of Your Life and Ministry
Just as the sacred anointing oil was blended with purpose and care, we see the beautiful ingredients of that holy mixture reflected in your walk with God:
• Myrrh — a resin, bitter to taste, yet fragrant. Represents trials and how suffering produces beauty when yielded to GOD.
Your honesty and willingness to walk through difficulty with transparency have released a pleasant fragrance in your ministry. You don’t shy away from hard truths, and that sacrificial honesty has brought healing and authenticity to many.
• Cinnamon — warm, sweet spice representing the sweetness of GOD’s presence and the fire/zeal of the Holy Spirit and holiness.
Your passionate love for Jesus burns with a warm, stirring fire. You honor Christ in every sermon, every decision, and every interaction — igniting zeal and devotion in those around you.
• Calamus — a sweet aromatic reed that grows in the marshes, and it is filled with oil, so it bends low in the water teaching us that anointing requires humility—bending the knee before GOD.
With humble, upright character, you stand steady like a reed filled with the Spirit. Your determination and courage have led this church through difficult challenges with integrity and grace.
• Cassia — a bark of the cassia tree like cinnamon meaning to stoop or bow. Signifying bowing in adoration and the authority/strength that comes from resurrection life.
Your life is marked by humble bowed-down worship and resurrection power. You love Jesus deeply, and that love overflows in the way you shepherd and serve.
• Olive Oil — the carrier that binds all the ingredients together. Symbolizing anointing, joy, healing, and light. The crushing of olives mirrors how Holy Spirit works through brokenness and pressure.
Above all, the Holy Spirit flows richly through you — the carrier that binds everything together. Your dependence on the Spirit brings healing, light, and fresh oil to God’s people.
Because you have walked in this anointing, we have experienced the blessing of Psalm 133.
The oil flows from the Head to the body.
The oil has not stayed on your head alone. It has flowed down upon the “beard” of our church family and to the very hem of our fellowship.
The dew of mount hermon was a vital source of moisture. It was a picture of the supernatural way GOD provides for His people. The dew, a gentle, quiet, yet consistent moisture should not have flowed as far south as to reach the hills of Zion. It was too far. Yet…GOD DID IT!
Like the dew of Hermon descending upon the hills of Zion, your leadership has brought refreshing, unity, and life where it was needed most.
During this fast, there has been talk of a fragrance when we come in to pray. There is a lingering aroma of worship in this house. Pastor, you have created a dwelling place of unity — a spiritual home where God’s commanded blessing rests. Through your example, we have tasted how good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together as one. The fragrance of Christ is upon this house because of the oil that flows through your life.
Thank you for being a vessel of God’s holy oil.
Thank you for modeling the ingredients of a consecrated life.
May the Lord continue to command His blessing upon you and your household — life, joy, strength, and fresh anointing in greater measure.
HAPPY 50TH BIRTHDAY!
