Fall means it’s time to get fired up about revival around church. The masses return from summer break filled with a renewed interest in good, structured activities for the family. So what does a fire have to do with revival, or renewal? We generally think of a fire as a bad thing, unless we’re in the wilderness using it for warmth, or to cook, right? Fires also may have a productive role in forest ecology. Indeed, fires are vital to the continued existence of many plants and animals found in the woods.

Wikipedia says, “Many ecosystems, particularly prairie, savanna, chaparral and conifer forests, have evolved with fire as a necessary contributor to habitat vitality and renewal. Many plant species in naturally fire-affected environments require fire to germinate, establish, or to reproduce. Fire suppression not only eliminates these species, but also the animals that depend upon them. Finally, fire suppression can lead to the build-up of flammable debris and the creation of less frequent but much larger and more destructive wildfires.”

What about the brazen, out-of-control wildfires?

Unfortunately they happen. Much like good and evil in the world today there are wicked bad fires that come on like the temper. Yep, fire can destroy lives and wipe out happy homes. Some fires are bad, but the idea that all fires are bad news is utter fallacy.

The 3 elements of a good fire?

Fuel. Kindling to big wood. Think wisdom here. Oh bananas. Jesus brought the fuel for the fire. It’s pure and simple – truth, love and grace. Of course it has to be seasoned… yep, and fall is just the season to do it! Lots of changes occur in the fall – the weather gets cooler and the days get shorter. The fall is a season of color too! All of the colors of a good fire show up in the autumn foliage. Just think about it… this fire is sounding better already, right?

Oxygen. O2 breathes life into a fire like a sense of community brings people together. This makes me think of the Holy O, or Holy Spirit:

“The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” John 3:8

Spark – an idea. God has this one. The idea came up in Genesis. God brought human life into existence, making him from dust and then breathing life into his nostrils. The Lord spoke combustion, and the rest is history.

The good fire is about renewal, a positive change. When change occurs, wise people find new avenues to constructive ventures. Stubbornness and lack of hope holds others back from the best that God has to offer. Is the perceptible chill sneaking up the spine?

“A good, warm and inviting fire, fueled with the deep, enduring love of Jesus, fanned by the breath of the Holy Spirit, and ignited by the crisp spark of God’s word on the tip of our tongue…” from my book “All Sorts And Conditions Of People: The 7 Essentials Of Extraordinary Relationships.”

What say ye? On board with the good fire, the fall, and revival?

The post The 3 Elements Of A Good Fire first appeared on I'm Just Thinkin'.

The post The 3 Elements Of A Good Fire appeared first on I'm Just Thinkin'.