OK - now onto a story I want to share...my dad sent this to me a few weeks ago - I kept it & re-read it & just wanted to let you all in on it....I think we all need to remember that we can always be thrown back into the fire.....
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A member of a certain church, who previously has been attending services regularly, stopped going. After a few weeks, the preacher decided to visit him.
It was a chilly evening. The preacher found the man at home alone, sitting before a blazing fire. Guessing the reason for his preachers visit, the man welcomed him, led him to a comfy chair near the fireplace & waited.
The preacher made himself at home but said nothing. In the grave silence, he contemplated the dance of the flames around the burning logs. After some minutes, the preacher took the fire tongs, carefully picked up a brightly burning ember & placed it to one side of the hearth all alone, then he sat back in the chair, still silent.
The host watched all of this in quite contemplation. As the one lone ember's flame flickered & diminished, there was a monentary glow & then its fire was no more. Soon it was cold & dead.
Not a word has been spoken since the initial greeting. The preacher glanced at his watch & realized it was time to leave. He slowly stood up, picked up the cold, dead ember & placed it back in the middle of the fire. Immediately, it began to glow, one more with the light & warmth of the burning coals around it.
As the preacher reached the door to leave, his host said with a tear running down his cheek, "Thank you so much for your visit & especially for this fiery sermon. I shall be back in church next Sunday"
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I love that this message was given with no words - some times if people say too much, no one listens.....
But are you in need of getting back in the fire? Maybe its not even about attending church - do you need God to light your fire again? Are you feeling cold & dead? You can be engulfed with the heat of the Spirit again....all you have to do it let the Master throw you back into the fire!
Great illustration!
ReplyDeleteAwesome
ReplyDeleteI'd never heard this ~~ GREAT!!!!!
ReplyDeleteSome of the best sermons are spoken without words.
Have a Blessed day,
Dawn
What a beautiful story! I think it also illustrates the importance of being with other believers. Sometimes, when we're on our own for too long, we tend to lose our fire; however, together, we keep each other lit...on fire for the Lord.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing. I'll be praying about your health as well. I read your post yesterday but didn't have a chance to go back and comment.
Hugs...
What a nice story.
ReplyDeleteI'd heard this one before... and I never tire of hearing it... it is such an amazing illustration... and having "felt dead" before I know what an awesome thing it is to reclaim the fire!!!!! Good Post Friend!!!!
ReplyDeleteOh, wow! I loved this ;)
ReplyDelete