Who of us can dwell with everlasting burning?” Isa 33:14
There are eight references to the presence of God being like “consuming fire.” At camp Barkeley the past few days we have seen uncontrollable fire with flames leaping 30 feet while winds were clocked at 60 MPH. By the grace of God only a corner of the property, about 300 acres, was burned but the fire raged on over three miles.
The winds took the fire to striking distance to our home. We were evacuated and we were out of our house two days. What a blessing to stay at the home of our friend Momma Lynn and then spend a night at the Retreat Center!
How encouraging to know that saints, were and are, praying! The support from the community, and other fire services, makes your heart swell with appreciation. Fire fighters are still on duty putting out hot spots, careful to protect against resurgence.
His mercies are new every morning! How can we express our gratitude?
The Fire investigator spent the day out on Barkeley looking for the source of the fire. They found that last Wednesday night we had lightening followed by an hour of drenching rain, almost like a fire hose from heaven. Lightening had struck a juniper tree. It caught fire but the rain put out the fire to a smolder. On Sunday it was fanned into flame again!
It’s extraordinary to us that it sat for four days in a tree trunk until a more opportune time. Sounds like our adversary. Now we are in the “always be ready” stage. The firefighters are still staged over the hills and graders have dozed huge swaths through the mesquite and cedars for breaks. There is a train track and electric lines between us and the fire site and because of the dozers we have at least two more swaths to give us time…in case!
We are amazed at the One called, “Consuming Fire!”
Steve and Pam Johnson
Landingstripenterprises.com
