Fanning the Flame – with recording

Beyond Timothy, the recipient of this warm and personal letter from Paul is the Spirit’s intent that this letter reach you just as personally. It is Paul’s “Last Will and Testament,” just as are the words of Moses in the Sabbath readings from Deuteronomy.

Take your eyes inward to those places where the frequent imperatives from Paul stir you to action. Respond as Timothy to the urging of Paul that Timothy “fan the flame” of the gift. Do the same with your gift for ministry—a gift that perhaps yet lies smoldering in the depths of your spirit.

The letter is one of great encouragement. Is there someone who will hang on your words of love and strength just as you and Timothy hang onto Paul’s words?

2 Timothy 1—2

Find out all about Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: Lord, fan into flame Your gift. v. 6

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 2 Timothy and Revelation 12—22.

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.

Facing the Church

Tap here for a video meditation
on Psalm 138.

 Muslims pause five times each day to pray. They face the great mosque in Mecca. Jewish synagogues face Jerusalem. The physical turning of the body toward these holy places elevates awareness that only God is center of life. There is a tradition of churches facing east, place of sunrise and symbol of the resurrection of Jesus.

Face the direction of your church. How does this feel? Sense the gentle tension in the sacred thread that joins you and your community to that place in your life. Let this be a symbol of your facing the Lord who is more powerful than whatever else you are “facing” in life.

David prays in the last verse similar to Paul: “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Phil 1:6).

Psalm 138

What are Bible Breaths? Learn More
Example: I give You thanks with my whole heart. v. 1

We continue to read 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

The Word-Wide Webb

Beneath the proverbs of Agur, the unknown writer of this chapter, there lies a method to open yourself to the inward rush of wisdom. The writer is a contemplative. There are five groups of sayings, each characterized by the way that simple observation of God’s creatures brings the sacred writer to applications in human life.

Listen to Agur as he speaks to you while he is observing creatures, commenting to you about each one. The Holy Spirit teaches you to do the same. Look about your life, your day—the simple details you may overlook or even resist that can teach you about God’s ways. That spider of which you are afraid … Look at the web. What is God telling you about patience, delicacy, method, weaving, silence, planning, the Bible: The Word-Wide Web!

Proverbs 30

What are Bible Breaths? Learn More…
Example: Every word of Yours proves true. v. 5

Tuesdays are dedicated to the Old Testament books of history
and the Hebrew “Writings.”
In the season of Kingdomtide this year we read Proverbs 30—32
and 2 Chronicles and Ecclesiastes 9—12.

 

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