Listen to Nick read the Firestarter.

Thursdays in autumn this year find us rolling back the centuries to the birthing and growing of a first century church in a great metropolis. Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians offers a powerful example of a church struggling with the momentum of a lifestyle prior to commitment to Christ—idolatry, sexual immorality, lawsuits, worldly philosophy, etc.

Corinth is situated on a narrow isthmus between the mainland part of Greece in the north and the Peloponnesian peninsula to the south. It is perfectly placed to meet the ships sailing from the east and moving westward after a brief portage across the isthmus. It was the center of world trade, much like New York City in the cosmopolitan nature of its population.

Paul founded this church about 50 A.D. Now he writes to give them “mid-course correction” on their way to salvation. Let Paul do the same for you.

1 Corinthians 1

Find out all about Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: What is weak shaming the strong v. 27

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 on the image for a video meditation on Psalm 35.

 In a dying fire, most is ash with only a few sparks left. Such an image might describe this psalm of David. The ashes of his suffering at the hands of evil enemies are described in verse upon verse. Yet sparks of a new fire kindle in his soul and in yours, if you cherish the sparks and let them light a new fire.

A fresh, new fire needs the ashes of the old to be removed. So it is that David’s very expression of mounting injustices against him are as the ashes being taken out of the hearth of his heart so that from the bottom of his being he can praise the Lord in new ways.

May this psalm do for you what it does for David—new praise, new awareness of God’s faithful dedication to defend and rescue the poor and the innocent. When mistreatment and even slander come your way, may this psalm bring you comfort in the company you keep—David and Jesus.

Psalm 35

What are Bible Breaths? Learn More
Example: All day long, my tongue in praise v. 28

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

Listen to Nick read the Firestarter.

 As a sweet anointing, so the rhythmic flow of Proverbs gently rocks your soul from side to side, as you rest in the Lord. Read slowly, pausing often and long, as the wisdom of three thousands years wells up and breaks through the way the world thinks.

Clear many small spaces for yourself in the course of the day to read a few of these precious gems. The beginning of Kingdomtide this year has two Tuesdays dedicated to Proverbs. They are awesome ways to begin the school year and the reflective season of autumn. Notice memories that well up from within.

As your spirit sways back and forth with the reading, so do the shadows of darkness and the light of the Lord sway as each proverb is balanced off with descriptions of good and evil. Sift and weigh each proverb. Take to heart those that particularly strike you. Stop … write … pray … share inner movements with someone you love.

Proverbs 15

What are Bible Breaths? Learn More…
Example: Words in season bringing joy v. 23

Tuesdays are dedicated to the Old Testament books of history
and the Hebrew “Writings.”
In the season of Pentecost this year we read Proverbs 13 and 14 and 1 Samuel.

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