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The Anglican Church in Tasmania Search |
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a healthy church...transformingLIFE |
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Editor's angle |
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The flicker in the firebox The woodheater is not usually stoked up to burn overnight, but some early mornings find a small flickering ember in the firebox, glowing through the glass-front door. The sight is always encouraging, with its promise of warmth on a cold winter's day. The ember can be fed and tended again into a hearty glow, but great care is needed. Ignore that tiny flame and it will fade away. Heap on a stack of wood and it will die. But tend it gently and constantly, gradually adding tinder and small pieces of wood and it may be coaxed into a steady and robust fire that will burn for hours. Maybe it's like that for people starting on their faith journey. The small flame newly kindled in their hearts is so weak, yet so eager. But it can so easily be snuffed out by carelessness, or by a lack of tending. A heavy hand can overwhelm it with a sudden dumping of a large load of fuel - sometimes well-intended, but nevertheless suffocating. It's easy to fling on some fuel then walk away without waiting to see the result, believing that all that could be done, has been. But catch the ember, nurture and encourage it with care and gentleness and the result may warm and bless everyone. |
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