Have the embers of your faith wavered? Terri Clark wrote Fanning the Flame as result of observing missionary burnout. She realized, “If it could happen to someone who is so steeped in the faith, it could happen to me.”
And happen, it did. Four decades of ministry caught up to Terri. In Fanning the Flame, she outlines the things that led to mediocre faith and how she recovered her relationship with the Lord.
Terri Clark’s ministry includes a Child Education Sponsorship Program in Uganda and assisting the build of the Ray of Hope Medical Center. She has ministered throughout the United States, as well as Mexico, India, Vietnam, China and Myanmar with her messages of hope. She wrote Tying the Family Knot: Meeting the Challenges of a Blended Family and is an AACC Biblical Counselor and Christian Life Coach.
Terri talks about the danger of being self-reliant. Maybe we’ve been followers for a while, and just automatically jump in to solve the world’s problems. When we forget to rely on the Lord, we also eliminate the need for prayer, rest and restoration. That leads to burnout.
I am especially intrigued by her experiment with clay and the illustration of lamp and wick. Her hands-on research shows how God is able to reignite our work for His kingdom. The clay represents us. Oil: the Holy Spirit. The wick that needs to be trimmed represents faith, and how we have to cut sin, pride, and unforgiveness from our lives. The flame can only be ignited by God when we are a vessel He can use. Then our light can shine for Him.
Friend, are you tired and feel like no one notices? Terri says, “That’s the good news about becoming weary in our well-doing. God appreciates what we do for him, even if no one else does. He sees when we become frustrated, hurt, depressed, angry, or defeated, and he sends the refreshment we need to strengthen our depleted spirits for the next leg of our journey.”
Reach out for the Lord, He’s there.
I am giving away a copy of Fanning the Flame, courtesy of The Adams Group, to one reader in the continental United States. To enter the drawing, sign up for my newsletter: type in your email address under the waterfall picture on my blog.
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I will announce the winner Monday evening, October 22!
Sally
Disclosure of Material: I received a complimentary copy of this book from The Adams Group book review program in exchange for a fair and honest review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s CFR Title 16, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
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