Listen to Nick read the Firestarter.

The Second Book of Samuel is dedicated to the reign of King David. The threads of tragedy woven in 1 Samuel continue in this book. Yet even stronger and deeper do the power of God and his redeeming love weave a fabric of sacred history, which ultimately triumphs.

The book begins with David’s song of mourning over the deaths of Saul and Jonathan. David wants the earth to share in his grief as well, “fasting,” as it were, from the usual splendor of creation, to share David’s pain. I remember having a similar sense when my father died. It did not seem quite right that everything just went on “business as usual,” without everyone feeling his death.

Right now, take your suffering and allow the Spirit to turn it into a song. Take comfort in knowing that your Lord receives and shares your pain.

2 Samuel 1—2

What are Bible Breaths? Learn More…
Example: My soul singing as I feel v. 17ff

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

Listen to Nick read the Firestarter.

 Isaiah not only reveals the Lord’s judgments about the rebelliousness of Israel, but he vividly expresses God’s feelings as well. Sense the Lord’s heart and catch the longing that God’s people rest and wait upon God alone. Memorize the verse for the day, repeating it often until your spirit does what the verse invites.

My Dad often used to remind us: “Man proposes, but God disposes.” As you enter into the activities of the day, do this with an inner sense that you are responding to what God is doing in you, rather than what you are doing. Then your activities will blossom into prayer as you rely upon the Lord alone—not upon the shadowy “Egypts” that come your way with but a bare pretense of power.

Isaiah 30

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: Trusting You will show the way 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.

Listen to Nick read the Firestarter.

The parables of Jesus are soul-experiences. Make this one especially personal. The amount is an immense sum, beyond the power to comprehend. The sense is of a great national debt.

Out debt to God is infinitely greater. Take the sin of the world in its “original” form in Adam and Eve. That offense to God has come down through the ages in an avalanche of sin in the human family. A debt has so accumulated that we simply cannot pay it, because God has been offended.

Jesus took all this sin to the cross. In that act of love, God forgave all our debt of sin. Consider this: if God has forgiven you for all that you have done, ought you not treat others, including yourself, with that same forgiveness?

Matthew 18:21–35

What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…
Example: You forgive as I forgive. v. 33

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.