Going through the Fire - Coming Out Gold

Wolsey wildfire (southern CA) takes lives, destroys homes

Wildfires rage in southern California. It's a story we've seen in the media so many times that many folks have grown desensitized to it. Evacuations again. Firefighters again leave their families and their homes to rush into danger, exhausted but fighting on to save lives and homes. Air pollution advisories. Occasional updates. It seems like a media story that someone, somewhere is hitting the "repeat" button on over and over again.

Until it hits close to home... or your own home. Suddenly, it's personal.

For well-known filmmaker, author and speaker L.A. Marzulli and his wife Peggy, the California wildfires just became personal. The Marzullis have been good friends of ours for several years now and we have spent time with them in their beautiful home - yes, that infamous "undisclosed location deep in the heart of the Santa Monica Mountains." We've visited his filming studio; slept in his home; enjoyed his barbecue at their "topside." But last week, while speaking at the "Operation Classified Conference" in Dallas, Texas on November 10, 2018, he was notified by California law enforcement that he no longer had a home. None of his belongings remained, save what little was maintained in a fireproof root cellar.

In his announcement about the devastation, he pointed out that what truly mattered - family and lives - were not lost. The Marzullis, a precious couple, are resilient people who are no stranger to pain nor to wisdom.

---

One our favorite fellow musicians and all around precious woman of YaH - Beckah Shae - penned a song with these words: "Going through the fire but coming out gold!"

As wise as she is talented, she points out the beauty of the fire. Yes, it's uncomfortable; yes, it's destructive; yes, it's painful. But somehow out of our ashes, our Amazing Father can still bring beauty. Out of the flames, He brings gold - refined and beautiful.

It begs the question:

When you are going through the fire, how do you come out gold?

What makes the difference between whether you pass that test or if you have to start back around the mountain all over again? We can't say we have all the answers. But here is what we have learned:

1. Praise YHWH, regardless of the circumstances.

2. Praise YHWH, FOR the hard times.

3. Ask that His miraculous joy be your strength.

4. Ask Him to teach you whatever lesson He wants you to learn from the difficulties.

5. Keep a righteous perspective.

6. Repeat steps 1-5.

---

What Remains

When the Marzullis returned from the conference and were cleared to return to their land, they returned to their home and office to find virtually nothing left. Virtually. But L.A. sent out a message that showed something profound that was left behind in the fire's destructive wake. A picture that shows a message that crossed the boundary from the SpiritWorld to this physical reality in a picture worth a thousand words - the very image of a verse found in I Corinthians 13:13:

"And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."

What remained from the fire: Faith, Hope & Love

There has been plenty of testing for L.A. & Peggy Marzulli and the Heavenly Father has sent a clear message: "You've come out gold."

---

Please send up a prayer for the Marzulli family now and whenever you think of it. If you would like to contribute to a recovery fund to help the Marzullis, you will find it here:

LA Marzulli - Fire Relief Fund

Sending virtual hugs across the miles - to you, Dear Reader, and to the Marzullis in their time of recovery.

Love,

The RiverWinds