On Sunday morning, I will be sharing at St. Andrew Baptist Church in Panama City, Florida. I will not be able to have Deanna with me this time. Would you please pray for those who hear, that they would respond to how the Lord is moving in their hearts?



This week a friend of mine...who shall remain nameless so that she continues to be my friend (I hope)...had a wee fire in her apartment. For some reason, her stovetop ignited as she was preparing her evening meal. All kidding aside, when she called Deanna there was a small edge of terror in her voice!

She already had the fire under control, but feared what could have happened, and what may yet happen if she turned the stove back on. We worked it out together, and all is well. By the time I arrived at her place, the smell of smoke was dissipating. There was still a hint in the air, but you could not tell what had happened.

This reminded me of a couple of times when another lady I know was preparing Swedish Meatballs. I am far from a chef, but as I understand it, one must get the skillet extremely hot to prepare them. On the first occasion, this other lady also lived in an apartment. As she was preparing this meal, the grease caught fire.

Having no experience with grease fires, she did what came naturally. She threw water on it.

That enraged the fire, and as the water hit, it leapt off of the stove and ran up the walls and across the ceiling! I remember the terror in her voice when she called. Well, actually it was the shrill screams of a smoke detector that I remember hearing. The voice on the other end pleaded for help to make it stop.

Miraculously, the fire had gone out, but the smoke detector wailed on without taking a breath. This distraught, embarrassed and frustrated lady called to beg for help to make it quit. Amazingly, she was not interested in discussing the cause of the smoke detector's announcement, she simply wanted instructions on getting it to settle down.

The lick of the flames across the walls required some attention in this case. Repainting was required to cover the scars of the event.

Another time, on a somewhat smaller scale, years later, it happened again. Swedish Meatballs were once again the entree' du jour. Again, the grease leapt into it's 'flame on' mode. This time, a wiser cook grabbed flour... lots of flour...five pounds of flour... and doused the flames.

This time, only a third degree blister on the counter top needed attention from the burn unit.

Surprisingly, I was over for dinner both of these nights. I am told these are the only two times she has ever prepared this dish. You know what? Those meatballs were delicious!

Sometimes, like Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego we have to experience the fire to get to the 'good stuff.' Whether or not we bear the scars is not really the issue. Our faithfulness to our Savior is. How we respond, what we learn, and to whom we point is what matters. Free of the lick of the flames, we are given the opportunity to minister to others who are experiencing similar, searing pain.

Last night, Whitney had the opportunity to share her testimony with a group of girls who have significant need. Though Whit has never been at the specific point these young ladies are, the Lord used her faithfulness and obedience to draw another to Himself. Through her singing and sharing, the Holy Spirit brought conviction, and a New Creation has submitted to the Father's Will! Amen!!!

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