In the Fire

One of the things I miss most about a PA house we lived in was the ability to have a fire circle. It had started being a mistake, a children's pool which stayed too long in one place and the grass beneath burned out, wouldn't grow back. (My fault) So instead of a glaring mistake, we chose a glaring solution - a fire circle. 20 cinderblocks and we had perfection - our own firecircle. We were able to burn everyday without permit, and frequently when one of us got home before the other, one thoughtful chore was to prepare the ring for the evening fire. Some in the winter (not many) mostly in the other 3 seasons, but joy remembered then. Sitting in the evening with neighbors, children, or as a chance for couple time for the two of us, this fire circle touched on something in common for us - not that we are pyromaniacs, but we enjoy a good controlled burn. N. taught himself to ride a 2 wheeler bike by firelight. A. sang her first solo, T. crafted his story-teller imagination. K. learned the art of marshmallow toasting. Setting it up to last as long as needed - a 4 hour fire is constructed differently than a 1 hour fire.
This year our summer camping has included several fires, and I'm chopping wood today for this weekend. Burn, baby, burn.

"God reveals deep and hidden things; He knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells within Him." Daniel 2:22

"Weren't there three men that werre tied up and threw into the fire?" " Yes," the reply. "Look I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the forth looks like a son of the gods."
Daniel 3:24-25

In the Fire

“Another log?” A simple request.
“Yes, thank you. You’re the best!”
The fire grows and radiates heat,
Claiming this new fuel, providing retreat.
Burning for hours, it fends off the dark -
The cold, the unseen, undefined and stark
Maintaining glowing coals with their light and heat.
Closer to the fire we sit, safe, complete.

But within that fire, the action is great
In the fire, the movement changes its rate.
The fire is alive, pulsing with power,
Consuming the wood there, intent to devour
“Watch out, be careful, protect yourself there;
Keep your distance, even farther, always beware.”
Too close to the fire will be a mistake
Stay away, error brings pain, it won’t be fake.”

God is still in the fire

Life is messy – quite messy no doubt,
Hearts looking for cover, a simple way out
Of the mess of the problems bad choices have brought.
Out of the conflicts, the wrongness of thought.
“It feels all consuming, it’s hot inside here,
To confront, to correct – the problems are too near!
I must get away, I’m not needed for this!”
The knots are too tight – I just want to reminisce.”

God is still in the fire

Reminisce of a simpler time, long ago.
Protection was there, it was easy and slow.
I could think my own thoughts, no interruptions there.
All things were good, and right and fair.
People meant what they said, they said what they meant.
Trust was given, received, returned – it was cement.
Life was easy, small problems, simple solutions
Avoiding the realm of pain and confusion.

God is still in the fire

But God doesn’t stay away from the knots tightly bound,
He challenges me to step into this fire, look around.
“These knots, they’re not yours, but untie them we may.
They need our attention, yours and Mine, walk this way.
Walk in white, be pure as I call you to be.
Love me with undivided heart, you will see
That I AM in the fire, even now,
I do not abandon a conflict, I vow
To make things right, I AM here, plain to see
And I call you and move you to work patiently.

I AM still in the fire.

The power to confront, and still dignity give –
God is still in the fire.
The power to correct, a right way to live –
God is still in the fire.
“What are you gonna do about it?” God says earnestly -
“Come here, step into the fire with Me.
Set your mind on things above-
Let your conduct be worthy of Christ’s love –
You’re not alone in here, we are hand in glove.
I AM still in the fire.”