Listen to Nick read the Firestarter and Isaiah 33:2-6.

Jesus and Paul would echo the admonition at the beginning of this chapter: “Whatever measure you use in judging others, it will be used to measure how you are judged” (Matt. 7:2). “You will always reap what you sow” (Gal 6:7).

There are images of stability. The Hebrew word for “times,” et, means “a particular time or season of life.” The “times” of your life are set against larger, ill-defined, hostile, “hard times” from the world. Enemy eras will not be able to cross the sacred boundaries of your soul, because you are finding stability through the Spirit’s gifts of wisdom and knowledge.

Jerusalem will be firm with strong stakes and cords to prevent her from being blown away by enemies from without. What do you need to do to set the stakes of your life’s tent more securely?

Isaiah 33

Mondays are dedicated to the reading of the Hebrew Prophets.
In the season of Kingdomtide this year we read Isaiah 28 – 39.

What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…
Example: My stakes and ropes holding firm v. 20

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.

This is the Sixth Week in Kingdomtide. Listen above to the Alphabyte “Streams.”

Listen to Nick read the Firestarter and the reading.

The Lord confronts the Pharisees in “The Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers.” They are about to plot what the parable portrays—the murder of the Son of the Landowner.

God does not take the sin of our “No” as the final word. Ever since the sin of abusing the sacred space of the Garden of Eden, the Lord has been seeking to create a lush vineyard in the midst of ensuing chaos. Read Isaiah 5:1–7 and the song about the tender care that the Lord has for his vineyard.

The Lord never gives up on you or me. However, is there abuse of any kind toward yourself or another? Repent. Stop abusing yourself with guilt and shame; God does not want you to treat one of his precious children that way!

Matthew 21:33–46

What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…
Example: Poor in spirit: heaven theirs Mt 5:3

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 2 Samuel 6:12-23.

The dance of David before the Ark expresses the energy released in spontaneous worship. There is joy, for the Ark finally arrives at a fixed place for worship. As the hands of a clock move freely about the center point, so does David find extravagant expression as he reels about while grounded in the joy of the presence of God centered in his life.

Michal criticizes David. She wastes her time judging him, instead of entering into the source of his joy. The same will happen to you, if you criticize and judge others. As a downward spiral, energies will go inward and bind, instead of spiraling outward in joyous expression.

Find a place in your house where you especially find the presence of God—a prayer closet, a special chair— some place where you find yourself drawn to be in God’s presence, where your spirit can dance.

2 Samuel 5—6

What are Bible Breaths? Learn More…
Example: You chose me to serve you, Lord. 6: 21

Tuesdays are dedicated to the Old Testament books of history
and the Hebrew “Writings.”
In the season of Kingdomtide this year we read Proverbs 15-16, 2 Samuel and Ecclesiastes 1-4.

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