I have experimented with blogging before and it has never lasted. Encouraged by the example of some good Christian men in my life I am going to take another stab at it. Perhaps along with the daily Bible study that has become a part of my life this will also take root and grow. I chose the name of my blog from I Timothy 1:6. It is perhaps my favorite verse in the Bible. I live to use the gifts that God gives to create light in this dark world. I am learning that “fanning into flame the gift of God” is not a piecemeal affair. I cannot develop my gifts in their own separate compartments. I recently was deeply touched by a piece of scripture that illustrated this point clearly to me.
Exodus 21:5
5 “But if the servant declares, ‘I love my master and my wife and children and do not want to go free,’ 6 then his master must take him before the judges. He shall take him to the door or the doorpost and pierce his ear with an awl. Then he will be his servant for life
My service to God is a complete package. I love my God! I love my Wife! I love my Children! These cannot be separated. And yes God did lead my get my ear pierced (that was a personal struggle I may deal with in a separate post! I do not promote or encourage this. It was an intensely personal decision spurred by my relationship with God. No doctrine or spiritual panacea for the Christian walk is suggested or implied.) as a testament to my own stubborn tendencies. Every day I look in the mirror and this passage rings in my ears. It must be the order of my life! Only then can the flames rise to be seen by all around. Well I am going to keep this first post short if not sweet. Hopefully I will do better this time than I have in the past.
Fan Into Flame Ministries 
Cool!