"Refreshing" is not usually how I would describe Mid-April in central Florida, but thanks to a cold front, this past Saturday morning was absolutely beautiful! And for once, my hair didn't explode into a frizz at the opening of the door... again, this was a very rare occasion.
After a mid-morning walk with my mom and Lulu, the temperatures jumped back into the upper 70's so we came back to dip our feet in the pool. Curious if these temperatures would hang around through Easter, I did what any millennial would do and checked the weather app on my phone.
Our main concern at that moment was a fear that our pool was getting too cold with this sudden dip in degrees... the whole Ferguson clan will be united for the first time in the history of ever this Easter as baby Miller will get to meet his Aunt Kathryn! We plan to be in the pool all weekend long.
As the weather app opened, I read "RED FLAG WARNING" and discovered our county was experiencing "critical fire weather conditions." It went on to describe how the threat is enhanced in grassy and brush filled areas, and that any fires that develop will spread rapidly. The combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior.
To be honest, I didn't really pay much attention to it. I was enjoying the dry breeze which trumps suffocating humidity any day.
Not too long after this, we heard about a brush fire that started in Chuluota, just 1-2 miles down the road. We went outside and saw smoke rising off in the distance, but again, I didn't get too worried. I thought, "It's out in Chuluota...the fire fighters will get to it."
Around 3pm, I took my devotion and Bible out back to spend time with the Lord and that's when I saw it...
Black smoke was billowing up rapidly with greater intensity. I quickly went out the front door and started walking towards one of the main streets. Sure enough, the fire seemed to have jumped closer to our neighborhood.
Perhaps only an hour or two later, the smoke seemed to not only darken but thicken, drawing even closer to the houses. Fire, Sheriff, and News helicopters were chopping overhead and sirens were blaring as they flew into our neighborhood. The fire was now at Sterling Creek Parkway and Live Oak Reserve Blvd... just .15 miles from our front door and literally licking the back doors of several houses in our development.
This fire was too close for comfort. Helpless, I did the only thing I knew to do.
I returned to where I originally set out to meet with the Lord and began praying that this fire would be stopped and that the Hand of God would literally reach out as a boundary line to say, "here and no further." I joined others in interceding for all the first responders and neighbors involved, that none would perish and that communication would flow effectively in one accord to attack this wildfire.
I knew my prayers had been heard as a peace stilled my soul. That's when I heard a voice from within declare..
This wasn't the response I was expecting from my petitions, but I received it! I've mentioned in my last post (Intentional) this growing urgency to cry out for revival in our nation and world, and I knew this was yet another word confirming His plans.
These words reminded me of who the scriptures say He is, a "consuming fire, a jealous God" (Deuteronomy 4:24, Hebrews 12:29 ).
John the Baptist even said, "I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I'm not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire." (Matthew 3:11)
The physical conditions were perfect for a brush fire on Saturday. Strong winds, low humidity, and warm temperatures. Then I thought, "Are we not also experiencing 'critical fire weather conditions' all across our nation and world this very minute?"
A dry and weary people... under intense and heated climates of political, moral, and social unrest... it would only take a spark for the Holy Spirit, of whom Jesus likened to the wind (John 3:8), to blow and revive His people with a fresh baptism of fire.
Be on alert... I truly believe we are entering into a powerful season! This week is the holiest of the year as the Church celebrates Passover and Easter. It is finished, He has won the victory! And how could we forget the promise of the Holy Spirit who came on the scene at Pentecost?
Again, these are exciting times we're living in! No one is safe from God's ALL-consuming, jealous fire. It can certainly be too close for comfort, but is that not what keeps us pressing in for more?
The Lord heard our prayers and the fire has since died down. Miraculously, no one and no thing was lost, only a screened porch of one house was damaged. I even heard a testimony on the news of a neighbor who prayed for the arm of the Lord to stretch out and protect their house... "here and no further"! Isn't it beautiful how the Lord unites hearts to even pray in one accord?!
The conditions are still favorable as no rain is in the immediate forecast, so we're hoping for no strong winds. Fire fighters and helicopters have hung around the past couple days to pour water on any hot spots, and we are so grateful for all their hard work to protect our lives.
While I'm praying and believing a literal fire won't return or spark again in our neighborhood, I'm praying the opposite in the hearts of all people. We need a fresh outpouring of His Spirit as burning hearts are awakened and return to our one True King!
After a mid-morning walk with my mom and Lulu, the temperatures jumped back into the upper 70's so we came back to dip our feet in the pool. Curious if these temperatures would hang around through Easter, I did what any millennial would do and checked the weather app on my phone.
Our main concern at that moment was a fear that our pool was getting too cold with this sudden dip in degrees... the whole Ferguson clan will be united for the first time in the history of ever this Easter as baby Miller will get to meet his Aunt Kathryn! We plan to be in the pool all weekend long.
As the weather app opened, I read "RED FLAG WARNING" and discovered our county was experiencing "critical fire weather conditions." It went on to describe how the threat is enhanced in grassy and brush filled areas, and that any fires that develop will spread rapidly. The combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior.
To be honest, I didn't really pay much attention to it. I was enjoying the dry breeze which trumps suffocating humidity any day.
Not too long after this, we heard about a brush fire that started in Chuluota, just 1-2 miles down the road. We went outside and saw smoke rising off in the distance, but again, I didn't get too worried. I thought, "It's out in Chuluota...the fire fighters will get to it."
Around 3pm, I took my devotion and Bible out back to spend time with the Lord and that's when I saw it...
A look from the end of our cul-du-sac onto Sterling Creek Pkwy
The front of my house
Perhaps only an hour or two later, the smoke seemed to not only darken but thicken, drawing even closer to the houses. Fire, Sheriff, and News helicopters were chopping overhead and sirens were blaring as they flew into our neighborhood. The fire was now at Sterling Creek Parkway and Live Oak Reserve Blvd... just .15 miles from our front door and literally licking the back doors of several houses in our development.
The view from our backyard
Views of the fire from the athletic fields
Helicopters scooped water from the lake to drop over the fire
I returned to where I originally set out to meet with the Lord and began praying that this fire would be stopped and that the Hand of God would literally reach out as a boundary line to say, "here and no further." I joined others in interceding for all the first responders and neighbors involved, that none would perish and that communication would flow effectively in one accord to attack this wildfire.
I knew my prayers had been heard as a peace stilled my soul. That's when I heard a voice from within declare..
"My Holy Fire cannot be contained as it is an ALL-consuming fire. As this wild fire quickly spreads, so, too, will the Fire I set within my people. Though many will try to quench what I'm about to release, it cannot be stopped. It will be too big, too rapid, too wide spread!"
This wasn't the response I was expecting from my petitions, but I received it! I've mentioned in my last post (Intentional) this growing urgency to cry out for revival in our nation and world, and I knew this was yet another word confirming His plans.
These words reminded me of who the scriptures say He is, a "consuming fire, a jealous God" (Deuteronomy 4:24, Hebrews 12:29 ).
John the Baptist even said, "I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I'm not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire." (Matthew 3:11)
The physical conditions were perfect for a brush fire on Saturday. Strong winds, low humidity, and warm temperatures. Then I thought, "Are we not also experiencing 'critical fire weather conditions' all across our nation and world this very minute?"
A dry and weary people... under intense and heated climates of political, moral, and social unrest... it would only take a spark for the Holy Spirit, of whom Jesus likened to the wind (John 3:8), to blow and revive His people with a fresh baptism of fire.
Be on alert... I truly believe we are entering into a powerful season! This week is the holiest of the year as the Church celebrates Passover and Easter. It is finished, He has won the victory! And how could we forget the promise of the Holy Spirit who came on the scene at Pentecost?
Again, these are exciting times we're living in! No one is safe from God's ALL-consuming, jealous fire. It can certainly be too close for comfort, but is that not what keeps us pressing in for more?
The Lord heard our prayers and the fire has since died down. Miraculously, no one and no thing was lost, only a screened porch of one house was damaged. I even heard a testimony on the news of a neighbor who prayed for the arm of the Lord to stretch out and protect their house... "here and no further"! Isn't it beautiful how the Lord unites hearts to even pray in one accord?!
This fire fighter even saved this baby fawn from the fire!
The conditions are still favorable as no rain is in the immediate forecast, so we're hoping for no strong winds. Fire fighters and helicopters have hung around the past couple days to pour water on any hot spots, and we are so grateful for all their hard work to protect our lives.
While I'm praying and believing a literal fire won't return or spark again in our neighborhood, I'm praying the opposite in the hearts of all people. We need a fresh outpouring of His Spirit as burning hearts are awakened and return to our one True King!
"Come and let us return in repentance to the LORD,
For He has torn us, but He will heal us;
He has wounded us, but He will bandage us.
"After two days He will revive us;
On the third day He will raise us up
That we may live before Him.
"So let us know and become personally acquainted with Him;
let us press on to know and understand fully the greatness of the LORD to
honor, heed, and deeply cherish Him.
"His appearing is prepared and is as certain as the dawn,
And He will come to us in salvation like the heavy rain,
Like the spring rain watering the earth."
Hosea 6:1-3 (AMP)
Amen! Holy spirit, break out! Set our hearts on fire for the Lord!
ReplyDeleteAmen! Yes, Lord! Send us Your fire!
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