Listen to Pastor Nick read the “Firestarter” and Proverbs 8:1-12.

Contrast the call of Wisdom today with the enticements of the seductress of last week. The former leads to life, the latter, to death. The seductress dresses up as wisdom, but only for a brief moment. At times, the devil comes as an “angel of light,” only later, to envelop one in darkness. With wisdom comes the gift of discernment of spirits—the spiritual power to sense at the very outset, whether a thread of thoughts and desires leads toward death or toward life.

Verses 22 and following are a poetic and profound reflection upon the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity. Recall the opening of John’s Gospel where, just as the sacred writer of Genesis and the author of today’s passage, John penetrates to the very beginning of creation. Watch beginnings. See where they lead.

Proverbs 8

What are Bible Breaths? Learn More…
Example: Watching and waiting for You v. 34

Tuesdays are dedicated to the Old Testament books of history
and the Hebrew “Writings.”
In the season of Advent to Epiphany this year, we read Ruth, Esther and Proverbs 7 to 9.

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 reading.

Glorious images fill this week and next, springing from the joy of the Lord which God has planted in the heart of Isaiah. The power of God’s saving grace is expressed by the utter transformation of the physical world into complete reconciliation and exuberant life.

Soak in these images of life. The final times of which Isaiah speaks are with us now in the age of the resurrection of Jesus—the Church. Though tainted with sin, the Church is the expression of the visions that well up from these verses.

All that may be at odds with you and your past, to which you have yet to be reconciled, is happening in the realm of the Spirit. Pray until all aspects of your life—past, present and future—are before you here and now in the healing joy of the Lord.

Isaiah 65:17–25
Example: Trusting You, my faithful God v. 16

Mondays are dedicated to the reading of the Hebrew Prophets.
In the seasons of Advent through Epiphany this year we read Isaiah 56 to 66..

What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…

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.

St. Matthew renders the first Beatitude as “Poor in spirit,” to expand the meaning of poverty beyond those socially poor. Yet there is a preferential love that the Lord has for those who find themselves at the margin of life, powerless to compete with the “haves” who have managed to create “have nots.” Those that are poor, while on the edge of life, are also at the brink of the joy of relying only on the power of God alone to bless, rather than on the power of the world to curse.

“Woe” is the opposite of “blessed.” In other words, it is a curse. Luke speaks plainly. Be loosened from what you have, until you have nothing but the Lord.

Luke 6:17–26

What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…
Example: Blessed are the poor: Kingdom theirs v. 20

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