Listen to Nick read the Firestarter and the reading.

Suppose you are working all day on a project for which you will receive a fee. Imagine someone coming in at the last hour to help, receiving the same payment as you. How would you feel? This is the issue of the famous “Parable of the Eleventh Hour Worker.”

Parables, similar to jokes, have punch lines. Linger on the impact the final verses, until the Kingdom way of thinking rises in your heart. Let go of worldly ways of weighing in the mind—not minding one’s own business … jealousy … looking for rewards. The Spirit gives the Kingdom heart; it does not come from the flesh. In the Kingdom, there is love of serving, joy in another’s good fortune, and praise for the Master’s love of the forgotten.

Ponder, pray and wait for the Lord to give you peace—God’s choicest blessing for this, the current hour of your life. Do you have the right to demand another hour after this?

Matthew 20:1–16

What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…
Example: Grateful for others’ blessings v. 11

Sundays are dedicated to the Gospels from the Revised Common Lectionary.
During the Seasons of Pentecost and Kingdomtide, we read the Gospel of Matthew.

For all the Firestarters 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.

Listen to Nick read the Firestarter and the beginning part of the Gospel.

We have come to that place in Matthew’s Gospel of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Though Palm Sunday comes in the spring in the northern hemisphere, there is meaning of this entrance of Jesus into his Passion and death from the perspective of autumn, the season when the southern hemisphere celebrates Lent.

The palm branches lie strewn upon the ground just as do the leaves falling from the trees. As you walk about and hear leaves crunch beneath your feet, think about Jesus’ walk upon those dead palm branches and the people’s disloyalty to Him: “Hosanna,” one day—“Crucify Him,” another.

Be thoughtful and prayerful as only the speaking of the leaves breaks the silence of your walk.

Matthew 21

Create your own Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: Crunching leaves, I think of You v. 8

Fridays are dedicated to the Gospels.
In the season of Kingdomtide this year we read Matthew 19 to 28.

For all the Firestarters 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.

Listen to Nick read the Firestarter and the reading.

 When there is a violent forest fire, another fire is deliberately set around the perimeter of the endangered space, so that when the fire arrives at the burned-out border, there is nothing left to consume.

Divisions and party strife are as a fire gone wild. Paul speaks in terms of fire in verse 15; one’s material loss through fire becomes a source of salvation.

My desire in firestarting today is that the Holy Spirit fire-test you. Allow the Spirit to burn away at this very moment, all that is not of the Lord’s doing. As the preferred temple of the Lord, become more and more filled with the fire of the Lord’s presence. Let the strong words of Paul be as breath-blows on the wood of that fire, so that all that needs to be consumed in you may be done so completely. Upon the ashes of that loss lies the saving grace of knowing that you are resting on the foundation which is Christ Jesus.

1 Corinthians 3

Find out all about Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: Jesus I belong to You. v. 9

Thursdays are dedicated to the letters of Paul, other letters,
the Book of Acts, and the Book of Revelation.
In the season of Kingdomtide this year we read 1 Corinthians.

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