I never shall forget how the fire fell....

[Dave McClung]

Do you remember the song we used to sing about "I never shall forget how the fire fell when the Lord sanctified me...?"

We don't sing that very often any more, but yesterday I was reminded. A young sergant from Ft. Lewis has been attending our church recently. Three weeks ago, our interim pastor preached about "turning everything over to the Lord." At the conclusion of the service he asked everyone who had made the decision to turn their entire life over to the Lord to come forward and place their keys on the altar as a symbol. The young sergant was one who went forward.

Yesterday, he joined the church. When he gave his testimony, he described how he felt at the instant he placed his keys on the altar. He didn't even know the traditional terminology, but what he described was what we used to sing about. It is good to know that the the "fire" still falls.

[Terri Knoll]

a friend who was dying finally let go in a similar way. her testimony was of the same. "Jesus came right in my room and touched me on the head!" I am in awe of our God who interacts with us like that. Amazing!

[Teresa Baker]

I remember the song well. As a small child I would sit and color during church while the adults stood and sung with enthusiasm what I heard as "I never shall forget how the fire FELT when the Lord sanctified me!" I could only think about how crazy these grown-ups were to be so excited about being burned. Especially since we kids were always taught bad things about fire and how painful burning is so that we would not play with it (and probably so we would be afraid of hell and not sin). But thankfully I learned better as I grew up. But still, I would more equate my crisis moments with God as "He touched Me" moments than fire falling. And I am so thankful for a God who interacts with us. and i'm glad that it is not as painful as I thought it would be!

[Anne and Dwayne Hood]

That is so wonderful. I just felt like crying, as I told Dwayne about this post, of the young miltary man, as he was surrendering his life to the Lord. Your post is a blessing to me.

We had a fun thing happen about that song. I caught my hair on fire at a Christmas Eve candle light ervice. On purpose, the following Sunday, the Music leader called out the page number to "How the Fire Fell", and looked straight at me and grinned. Of course, nearly everyone else, turned and looked at me, also, as I hid my face, and laughed.

[Gina Stevenson]

Definitely remember that song ... great story, Dave ... and, Anne, glad your hair didn't all go up in flames! Once got mine too close to the gas stove when it was hanging down. odd smell, burning hair, but only singed a bit at the bottom, thank goodness! ;)

[Jill Mickelson]

Praise Jesus!
Could somebody share the words to this hymn about how the fire fell?
I've been blessed by this thread! May we see this happen again and again,
all over this nation and all over the world before Jesus returns! Halleluia!
Our God is truly an AWESOME God!

[Dave McClung]

Praise Jesus!
Could somebody share the words to this hymn about how the fire fell?
I've been blessed by this thread! May we see this happen again and again,
all over this nation and all over the world before Jesus returns! Halleluia!
Our God is truly an AWESOME God!

Jill, I apologize for not including the words in my post. I sometimes forget that some have not been around as long as I. When I was a child, the song was a favorite of every Nazarene Church I ever attended.

Verse 1:
O I love to tell the blessed story Since the Lord sanctified me;
For my soul received a flood of glory When the Lord sanctivied me.

Refrain:
O I never shall forget how the fire fell, How the fire fell, how the fire fell.
O I never shall forget how the fire fell When the Lord sanctified me.

Verse 2:
All my doubts and fears are gone forever Since the Lord sanctified me.
For His peace flowed o'er me like a river When the Lord sanctified me.

Verse 3:
To the world no more my heart is turning Since the Lord sanctified me.
For on me His Sp;irit fell with burning When the Lord sanctified me.

Verse 4:
There's a crown awaiting me in heaven Since the Lord sanctified me.
For a heart made clean to me was given When the Lord sanctified me.

Words: Johnson Oatman, Jr. 1905
Music Miriam E Oatman, 1905

[Jill Mickelson]

Thank you, Dave! Reading this thread moved me to search the net for "Fire" songs! I saved the words, that you shared, about how the fire fell! I'll never forget that day that the Fire fell on me! We had a Preacher who was FULL of the Holy Spirit and was on-fire for the LORD! (Christian & Missionary Alliance Church) Later the Church kicked this Pastor out. Now that Church is a building that is being used for Secular Plays. So sad. Anyhow...a big thanks for the words to that song!!!!

[Anne and Dwayne Hood]

We, who have experienced the fire falling, will never forget it. But, aren't we thankful, that we can have reocurring times, as well?
Jill, maybe the church wa afraid their membership would get on fire, also. Some don't understand.

[Jill Mickelson]

We, who have experienced the fire falling, will never forget it. But, aren't we thankful, that we can have reocurring times, as well?
Jill, maybe the church wa afraid their membership would get on fire, also. Some don't understand.

Amen!!!!!!! We were at an Evangelism Conference in Kansas City in 1987....can't remember who was speaking....but suddenly a DEEP CRY arose from my depths, and I cried. (I rarely cry) The cry from the depths of my being was of the Lord....only way I can explain it. The session was over and everybody was leaving. I couldn't leave the room. (Looking back, His Presence there was powerful.) As the room emptied out, I could see a handful of people around the room who also experienced the Lord. None of us wanted to leave His Presence.

So YES! The Lord does touch us over and over again! Recently, I've been praying and telling the Lord that I surrender all. I've been feeling His Presence in amazing ways. (I know we don't depend on feelings) His Sweet Sweet Spirit....

I'm stepping out on a limb right now but I truly believe that people makes the teaching of the Filling of the Holy Spirit too difficult! Nobody taught me about how I would get filled by the Holy Spirit. The Lord brought this little book to me....and my eyes were opened. I kept seeking the filling of the Holy Spirit. Maybe 6 months later I was filled with the Holy Spirit.

I agree with you... the Church is afraid of being full of Spirit Filled people.