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by Dennis Wheeler
One of the things I love about the season of winter is building a fire in the fireplace on a cold, snowy night...and then getting cozy with my wife on the sofa and watch the flames dance and enjoy the warmth! A blazing fire gives warmth and it gives light...just picturing this scene in my mind speaks quietness and comfort to me!
Whenever we've been at church camp and the evening ends with everyone singing around the campfire and making smores...it's wonderful. But after the campers go to their dorms...we always douse the fire with water and sand make sure it's totally extinguished.
Many times in the Bible, God (the Holy Spirit) is symbolized by fire.
- God spoke to Moses from a burning bush
- He appeared as a pillar of fire to the children of Israel
- The Spirit descended as fire on Mount Carmel and comsumed the sacrifices
- When the Holy Spirit came to the disciples - it appeared as 'tongues of fire' on their heads
There are times today in our lives that we want to hear from God - we want to experience His fire in our lives...but we douse the Spirit's flame within our hearts. We "put out" His voice through negative attitudes, worry, doubt, complaints, and selfishness!
The Spirit's fire is intended as a gift that lives within us to provide us with warmth and light. It allows us to hear God. Then, as we are warmed and guided by God's Spirit, it is our privilege to be able to pass His flame along.
The words to the song "Shine, Jesus, Shine" some to mind..."Shine, Jesus, shine, fill this land with the Father's glory. Blaze, Spirit, blaze; set our hearts on fire!"
May God's Spirit burn brightly in you this week...but don't keep it to yourself...share it with others!! It's been observed that ... "a candle loses nothing of its light by lighting another candle."
He serves as the Senior Pastor with southwest Virginia church... a loving church family in Abingdon.
He and his wife Sharon have been married for over 27 years and are the proud parents of two beautiful daughters, one son-in-law, and two precious grandchildren, the second arrived arrived on the scene in September 2004!!
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