Sharing the Savior’s Story

Flame of Faith

It was another century when the great evangelist Dwight Moody called upon a leading citizen in Chicago to persuade him to return to the family of the Father. They were comfortably seated in the man's parlor. It was winter and coal was burning brightly in the fireplace. The man argued he was doing fine just as he was. To that, Moody said nothing. Instead, after a long pause, he stepped to the fireplace, took the fire tongs and picked up a large piece of burning coal. He set that coal on the floor of the fireplace, off by itself. In silence the two watched the coal lose its flame, turn from blue to orange to scarlet and then black. Then, Moody picked up that dead piece of coal, put it back with the others and it immediately burst into flame. So, it is for you and the family of faith. Away from the fire of faith, away from the warmth of God's family, there is only darkness. But with the Lord, there is a beautiful life, both here and in eternity.

Excerpt from The Lutheran Hour broadcast of: June 8, 2003