oh the weather outside is frightful...

so a verse that i've been mulling over since sunday evening's sermon is Matthew 24:12: "and because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold." as i was meditating on it yesterday, another verse that came to mind was 2 Timothy 1:6: "for this reason, i remind you to fan into flame the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands."

i've been getting a graphic illustration of this lately because of the cold weather and stoking my woodburner. i am also reminded that charles spurgeon referred to members of his congregation who would pray for him while he preached as the church's "boiler room."

so i am striving to be stoking my life daily with the Word of God (Psalm 39:3), adding the breath of prayer (Ephesians 6:18), praying for the spark of the Spirit (Luke 11:13), moving around in acts of service (1 Cor. 16:15) and seeking the warming friction of fellow believers (Prov 27:17). may my heart stay well warmed within me, O God!

"when you set yourself on fire, people love to come and see you burn!" john wesley