On lee's knees

Sitting in my living room enjoying a fire while it sleets outside.  I have been meditating on fire all day.   I opened the day reading in Genesis about Abram, his altar building and the fire that consumed the offering of animals he had prepared.  Nothing started that fire it just appeared, no wood, and no fuel at all.  I learned in elementary school that it takes three things to have fire: fuel, oxygen and an igniter.  The fire in Genesis lacked two, fuel and igniter.  It just occurred and oxygen was available.  What has intrigued me throughout the day is how fire comes to be.  You can hold a lit match to a perfectly good piece of paper and it will suddenly change into fire.  Can you imagine selling that magic trick?  I can make something change into fire!  That’s quite a feat.  What gives certain material this magical quality, wood for instance?   As I thought about it today I was stunned that I had never considered it before.  Some material has the ability to be changed from its natural occurring state to fire.  That is a marvelous gift.  Can you imagine if someone made you the fire czar?  You were responsible for making fire exist.  What would be the first fire making thought that came to mind?  You wouldn’t have one.  Our minds cannot think on that level.  That is a Holy level.  The more I meditated on it the more I was thankful.  For instance, trees grow all over the world giving man an abundant fire source.  Fire can be used for so many good things like warmth, light, protection, cooking and I won't even bother going into the industrial uses.  But also think of the romance that fire has inspired; the meaningful experiences we have had around fire, all the camaraderie, the relationships, the joy.  I have heard it said that fire was the cave man’s Wii.  I often ask my students which one they would have rather invented, the light bulb or fire.  Fire of course.  Fire has served us so well and yet I have no idea where it comes from.  I understand matches, Zippo’s and Bic’s but I do not understand how fire comes to be.  

It’s still sleeting outside and I am a little chilled.  Time to add another log to the fire.  I bet it will change to fire.  Magic.  Someone sure does love me.