[From the original version]

St. Paul’s greatness may have us envision him as a wondrous “Lone Ranger.” Today’s reading will change that. “Now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord,” says Paul. Is he co-dependent to others’ faith? No, but he is intimately inter-dependent to them, with bonds of faith and love that are the sinews of the Body of Christ. We belong to each other in Christ.

Do not go it alone, gritting your teeth, faking a smile that everything is just fine when it is not. The Lord wants you to trust in him with bonds extending into a community of faith, hope, and love that is immensely real to you. What are you doing to be sure that you have friends in the Lord?

[Paragraph from the version for families with children]

…There are lots of young people and adults too, who are praying this same passage with you today.  That’s the power in this way of reading the Bible; you are not alone!  Read Paul’s words as though you are drinking in your favorite soda or juice and be refreshed by the energy of God that you’ll find all over this passage.

  1 Thessalonians 3

What are Bible Breaths? Learn More

Thursdays are dedicated to the letters of Paul, other letters,
the Book of Acts, and the Book of Revelation.
In season of Kingdomtide this year,
we read 1 and 2 Thessalonians; Revelation 4—11.

For all the Firestarters in the original version I recommend the ebook.  You will have the entire program of well over a thousand of these introductions with you on your phone or tablet. Check the menu options at the site for more information