On Fire

As we say goodbye to January, we settle in for the last run of winter's icy grip for the next two months (at least, we hope it will be the as short as the next two months).  According to the Groundhog Day prediction, winter has seen its best.  Spring is on the way. 

One of the coolest (no pun intended) things I've seen is the Ice Castles that are constructed across the Midwest.  I've held a fascination with them since first hearing about them.  The way they are constructed - the amount of time and money required to put them together.  It's a remarkable event.  Looking at them makes me want to turn on the fireplace.

Who doesn't love an open fireplace?   There is a therapy in the flickering light, the crackle of fire, the smell of burning wood, the direct heat of a cheerful flame.  Maybe we don't have such a fireplaces, but God has always had His fireplaces.  The burning bush, the brazen altar of the tabernacle, Mount Carmel, and His Pentecost people -- these are just a few of God’s fireplaces.  The only fireplaces He has today in all the world are the hearts of His people....We are to be filled with the Holy Spirit.

The fire of the Holy Spirit is to burn in the fireplaces of our own hearts

I wouldn't say that I think the church of today is on fire.  We are warm, I believe.  We are trying to do the things we need to do.  But we aren't really on fire.  I can only say that because I think we would know if we were on fire.  We would sense it.  We would know it.

Tell you what - over the next few posts, let's take a look at what it means to be on fire in our faith.