Rekindle Some More
Reflections on Integration, Fire, Family, and Never Alone with Tom Bowen
The Freedom, Fire, and Family weekend finished out the month of August with a theme of “Never Alone.”
The idea of integration, fire, family, and never alone reminded me of two different types of events around a campfire. Our most recent event was when our children and grandkids came to visit us. We had a lot of activities, but the greatest time of all was making s’mores.
Fire and Scripture
Matthew 3:11 and Luke 3:16 tell us that Jesus will baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire. The word fire means to re-Kindle the fire.
John 20:22 picks up after Jesus’s death and resurrection when He appeared to His disciples.
Then He breathed on them and said, “receive the Holy Spirit.” With His breath, Jesus rekindled the fire.
Jeremiah 23:29 tells us that God’s word is like a fire.
In Luke 24:32, the two men state that their hearts burned within them when Jesus spoke with them.
In Acts 2:2-3 there was the sound of a strong wind, AND the appearance of fire spreading out.
In 2 Timothy 1:6-7 Paul tells the young student to “kindle” again the gift of God that is in him.
The Greek word for kindle means to add fresh kindling, stir up the fire, or revive the spark into a flame.
Fire and S’mores
So, let’s look at how a fire can integrate chocolate, marshmallows, and graham crackers around a fire with family.
As the setting sun was turning the western blue sky to various colors of orange and red, the kindling for the fire pit was lit. It did not take long for the well-placed kindling to turn the stack of limbs and twigs into a warm blaze. Additional wood was added to the fire. The excitement was starting to build as the grandkids came running to watch the fire. This reminds me of what it is like to see Sunday morning praise create a fire that has folks looking with excitement. Something exciting is about to happen.
The ingredients for s’mores were gathered up: graham crackers, marshmallows, and chocolate. Adults and children soon gathered around to watch me (Tom) slowly brown a giant marshmallow over the bed of coals. I turned to the table to make the first s’more of the evening. The marshmallow oozed out around the top and bottom graham crackers, and the chocolate started to melt. It was delicious. The first s’more of the evening was amazing. Cries of “me next” moved from child to child. It made you ask for s’more. This reminds me of the many times in church when people are hungry for s’more of God.
All of the kids soon had a marshmallow on the end of their sharpened stick. Some marshmallows turned black. Some caught on fire. But, all were perfect. No matter which kind of praise you bring in the presence of the fire of the Holy Spirit, we are all made in His image. We are all family, and never alone.
The laughter was contagious. The sounds of “s’more” filled the air. The sounds of praise and worship filling the church make you seek for s’more of God’s goodness and grace.
In Acts 28:2-3 a fire was started in the rain to warm those who were shipwrecked. Paul is adding sticks when the “warmth” of the fire caused a snake in the bundle to stir.
Fire and Re-enactments
The second event that brings integration, fire, and family together is one of the many Civil War reenactments we attended with our children. Michelle would often cook for our kids, and soon the entire group of reenactors wanted to be a part of the family. Michelle was known as Momma B. It has been said, that if you feed them – they will come.
The dew was frozen on the grass as the early morning temperature dropped to 19 degrees. The light of dawn slowly turned the sky full of stars into a pale shade of blue. There were sounds of birds waking for the day. With her apron on, and a pot full of ingredients, the cook (Momma B) prepared homemade biscuits. They were neatly arranged in the large cast iron pot.
The first order of business was to rekindle the fire from the previous night. Several cedar sticks and a few breaths quickly turn the faint sparks and smoke into a flame. A pot of coffee prepared the night before was over the grating. Soon you could hear the sound of wood popping. The smell of coffee had reenactors coming out of their tents to warm their hands by huddling for warmth as they cast off the morning chill.
The cook (Momma B) called for added wood to start breakfast. Soon the cook’s morning fire was made ready. The biscuits went on first. A hotter fire is prepared at the other end of the grate. The sausage is quickly cooked, and flour added to brown. Oats with apples are next followed by fried potatoes, and eggs. It is now time to add the milk to the sausage and flour mixture to make gravy. This has to be constantly stirred.
On the table are homemade jellies and butter. Silence is called for as the meal is prayed over. Soon 100 people will line up to break bread and eat. No one will go hungry.
Rekindle me Lord for some more (s’more).