Lessons from the Fireline

Early September activities: On 9/11 we offered a free BBQ lunch for all 1st Responders and gave away fire and police New Testaments and Devotionals. A number of law enforcement/fire/EMS took us up on the offer.  The next day we held the “Celebration of Life” for our alumni missionary Frank Goetschel and many of our “alumni” came together to honor Frank and his widow Steph.

Back from the fire:  Last weekend, I returned from the Lionshead Fire near Sisters OR.  The fire was over 200,000 acres and destroyed most of the resort community of Detroit OR. It grew over 75,000 acres in one terrifying night.  I spent several days working with the residents of Detroit when they were allowed to return to what was left of their homes and businesses. Thank you sooooo much for your prayers.

Miracles occurred during this assignment and I re-learned some valuable lessons.  First the miracles:

1. An evacuation order went out at midnight when a major wind shift occurred and two very large fires burned toward each other with Detroit at the center.  Firefighters went door to door, and even tent to tent, rousting people out of bed.  Seventy-six souls were stranded on a sandy beach next to Detroit Lake; the smoke and heat was intense, their escape blocked by burning trees.  Suddenly two men appeared who led them out by a series of back roads.
2. Fifty cars were headed out in a caravan when their escape was blocked by burning trees in the road.  They turned around and headed the other direction but it was blocked as well.  With the fire burning all around them, a Hot Shot crew travelling in the caravan jumped out with chainsaws and cleared the 3-foot diameter trees and saved their lives.  Much of what was left behind was melted metal, including a fire truck!

*I’ve attached a short video of the aftermath of Detroit in the October 3rd Bible study video. Email us if you would like to receive it. barton@gunnison.com 

Some Lessons I learned:

1. Do I own my possessions or do my possessions own me?  As I walked through the devastated community I was struck by the results of the firestorm.  What once were million-dollar homes, were now a pile of ashes.  Motorhomes, boats, ATVs, only shells.  One woman showed me the remains of her home.  “I’ve lived there 71 years.” she said, “That home was my entire life.” 
   
   During the Jesus Movement we had a saying concerning possessions; “It’s all going to burn someday”.   It was a reminder of what Jesus said, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”  (Matthew 6:19-21)
   
   
2. The church will never burn.  As I entered what remained of Detroit, I noticed a sign proclaiming the location of the Detroit Community Church.  Behind it, only 3 concrete steps remained.  Later in the day I joined 30 residents in prayer on the site.  Someone said, “The church is gone!”  Fortunately, they were wrong.  What burned was the building where the church met.  The Greek word for “church” is ekklesia, which means people called out by one in authority.  Whether we meet in a canvas tent or a cathedral, the church consists of Christians who are called together by our Lord!
   
   Jesus said He would build His church; not out of bricks but souls.  Paul referred to this in his letter to the Colossians when he said, “Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea and also Nympha and the church that is in her house” (4:15).  Interesting sidenote: the Greeks also had a term for those who would not gather together to be involved in the work of the ekklesia, they were idiotes. (see Proverbs 18:1).
   
   
3. How unimportant “isms” can be.  On this and every fire, many agencies come together to accomplish the job of saving lives and putting out the fire.  Federal, tribal, state, county and community members all pitch in.  Once we put on our fire clothing, all these distinctions pass away, you’re a firefighter with a single focus.  We are followed by cleanup crews, power companies and others to help the community recover. (the son of a pastor friend)
   
   Our Savior gave us one primary task, to “Go and make disciples of all nations”.  Sadly, it seems we get hung up on “isms”; Calvinism, Arminianism, pre-post-mid-isms, methodism, baptist-ism, pentecostalism, and the job of saving souls gets put aside, often replaced by harmful arguments.  As I walked through Detroit, I was reminded that ultimately most of our “isms” won’t matter.  What matters is joining with other born-again believers in saving souls from the fires of hell!
   
   While on the fire I was able to hold two small chapel services, pray with fellow firefighters and give away all the firefighter New Testaments and Devotionals I had!  Your prayers and support allowed this.  A special “shout out” to Thaddeus Conley (the son of a wonderful pastor friend) and Tony Cecere who taught while I was gone. During the weeks I was gone a man gave his life to Jesus!

Family: Our younger son Tim, wife Sara, and granddaughter Elizabeth have welcomed our newest granddaughter, Sydney, in LA. We praise the Lord that all are healthy!  Joy, husband Stephen, and granddaughters Hannah and Bethan are back at work and school in Inverness Scotland.  We are longing to see them as soon as travel restrictions ease. Our older son Steve, wife Annie along with grandchildren Samuel and Abigail have been staying with us in order to escape the madness of Southern CA.  It’s been wonderful spending time with all of them and especially watching the Samuel and Abigail grow each day.

Upcoming: Our services in Josephine, outside of Dallas have been postponed.  Lord willing, we’re still headed to Guthrie OK November 17-22.  Ski season starts in December.  Please pray we’re able to resume our Bible study.  In the meantime, our Saturday night worship services and other ministries are going well!

Prayer Requests:  Please pray for the anointing of the Holy Spirit to be upon us as we share.  Please pray for the right place to meet this winter.  Our group has grown and the place we’ve been meeting may be too small with social distancing.  Please pray for our family, that the Lord would draw each of us closer to Him daily!  And please pray for the Lord to reveal who He has chosen to fill in behind us.  

Thank You!  May the Lord richly bless and keep you, Rick and Melva