Listen to Nick read the Firestarter.

Over the gates of the Kingdom is this sign: “Only Children May Enter.” Read this familiar passage expanding its meaning in your imagination.

First, remove some negative associations with children. They can be cruel. There are many times when peers pick on, ridicule, and shun innocent children. However, this generally happens as a reaction to some grave dysfunction in family and society. There are many adults who are candidates for that millstone to be hung around their necks and cast into the sea, because of scandal to children.

On the positive side, children are needy and dependent. When they are safe and loved, they naturally tend to radiate love in return, as well as spontaneity, trust, hope, and wonder.

Be as a child whose joy in life bursts as a response to divine love welling up from the center of your heart.

Matthew 18:1–20

Create your own Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: No one stumbling due to me v. 7

Fridays are dedicated to the Gospels.
In the season of Pentecost this year we read Matthew 8 to 18.

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.

As happened in last Monday’s reading from Isaiah when we caught the spirit of the prophet, so also today, the essence of Paul shines forth. Extravagant in his travels to begin churches where no one else has ever been, he yet finds time to pause, to write, to share with the Romans a letter that would come to be in your hands across the millennia.

Let yourself be encouraged along with his first readers. He quotes verses from the Torah, the Psalms, and Isaiah that express the point he makes in verse 4, the verse for the day. Do with Paul’s letter what he does with the Hebrew Scriptures; find verses in this chapter that quicken you to all the joy of being called to intimacy with Christ in the Spirit.

Paul asks for prayers. We might forget that he, just as Jesus in his agony, needed the prayer of his disciples. Be open for the Spirit to bring to your mind those spiritual leaders who need your prayers.

Romans 15

Find out all about Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: What You are doing through me v. 18

Thursdays are dedicated to the letters of Paul, other letters,
the Book of Acts, and the Book of Revelation.
In the season of Pentecost this year we read Paul’s Letter to the Romans.

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 Firestarters with you on your phone or tablet. Check the menu options at the site for more information.

Tap the image for a video meditation on Psalm 33.

Everyday reading of God’s Word offers you rest from outer activity and commitment, so that you can gather energy from your commitment to what is inward. A psalm in the middle of the work-week provides this moment of rest in a special way. Pause to look around you at a world that hastens to fulfill its own will, instead of God’s will. The world needs intercession; the Psalms are perfect for that.

Notice what the psalmist does today for his “coffee break.” Quickly and easily, he gets in touch with a contemplation of the whole world, catching the awesome power of Godly awareness, as did the writer of the opening chapters of Genesis. This pause for refreshment has the psalmist return to what is most basic in his life. May the psalm lift you to the same perspective and call forth new songs from your heart.

Psalm 33

What are Bible Breaths? Learn More
Example: Earth full of Your steadfast love v. 5

We continue to follow the Psalms in numerical order.

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