Listen to Pastor Nick read the Firestarter and 1 Chronicles 15:25-16:3.

(See 1 Sam 6—7; Psalm 105:1–5)

David makes all decisions after prayer, consulting the Lord about the proper order^. “Because you did not carry it the first time, the Lord our God burst out against us because we did not give it proper care.”(15:13). Spend time reflecting what this verse means in terms of your daily priorities.

Notice the frequent references to music as the Ark is returned to Jerusalem. Michal, Saul’s daughter, still carries old resentments and jealousies; she disdains David and his way of worshipping. Is there anything of Michal in you when you see the way others express their praise of God?

Enjoy the psalm that fills chapter 16. Verses in chapter 17 tilt to the coming of Jesus. Much more important than the house that David is going to build for God is the one that God is going to build for him. You and I are to be the ark that carries God!

1 Chronicles 15—17

What are Bible Breaths? Learn More…
Example: I, the ark that carries God 15:1ff

Tuesdays are dedicated to the Old Testament books of history
and the Hebrew “Writings.”
In the season of Pentecost this year we read Proverbs 27—29 and 1 Chronicles.

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 Pastor Nick read the Firestarter and Lamentations 3:19-33.

Is there an anniversary of an event of great sadness for you? For Jewish people, it is “The Ninth of Ab,” the day around now when the Temple of Solomon was destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 B.C. (In 2025: August 3) Also mourned is the Roman destruction in 70 A.D. of the rebuilt Temple. It is a day of complete fast, just as on Yom Kippur. The  Book of Lamentations is read.

We are one with our Jewish brothers and sisters as we all mourn the loss of these sacred sanctuaries. Pray that all people will come to rejoice in the “Third Temple” that will never be destroyed—the Body of Christ in which we live, move and have our being.

Mourn with all those who have sustained great losses in national and personal tragedies. Intercede for them, praying in faith that joy and comfort will rise from the ash heap of their sorrow.

Lamentations 4—5

Mondays are dedicated to the reading of the Hebrew Prophets.
In the season of Pentecost we read Amos to Nahum with Lamentations 4—5 in the Ninth Week.

What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…
Example: We are orphans without You. 5:3

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 Pastor Nick read the Firestarter and the Gospel.

 The disciples long to enter those spaces of communion that Jesus demonstrates he has with the Father. Join with their longing and their cry: “Lord, teach us to pray!”

What follows is Luke’s version of The Lord’s Prayer. Embrace every word until the familiarity of this prayer becomes brand new.

Jesus confronts the temptations that often lurk within us to distrust prayer. Jesus offers images for confidence in prayer. Fervently believe that the Lord wants to share his saving grace with you, inviting you to ask with the same confidence of a child to a loving Father. After all, this was the experience of Jesus. He shares with you the total intimacy in the bond of trust and love that he has with the Father.

Luke 11:1–13

What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…
Example: Give each day our daily bread. v. 3

Sundays are dedicated to the Gospels from the Revised Common Lectionary.
In year C, we generally read from the Gospel of St. Luke.

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.