Sunday Scripture
I’ve been in charge of the woodstove lately, and since my good husband is recovering from surgery, I have learned that as long as I have a half cord of kindling and the equivalent of a Boston Globe, I can, indeed, start and maintain a respectable fire. I’ve started collecting bark and small pieces of wood in a bucket that I keep near the stove, and the role of this kindling is to burn fast and hot so I can add larger pieces of wood that will burn for a long time.
While I’m feeding the stove, I’ve noticed the connection between fast-burning kindling and the kind of truth Peter fed to his readers in his first letter. They were experiencing persecution and needed help in keeping the flame of hope alive in their hearts. Peter was quick to remind them that they had been “born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”
The Tinder of Truth
The apostle’s first response was a swift application of the tinder of truth:
- Their inheritance in Christ is imperishable (1:4)
- They are guarded by God’s power (1:5)
- Their necessary suffering is being administered by a sovereign God (1:6)
He brought reasons for hope to their minds like I bring kindling to the fire in my woodstove.
And so today, in the same way, we can use our minds to stoke the fire of hope in our prone-to-wander hearts. If we forget the promises of God’s word, hope dims, flickers, and dies. Remembering God’s faithfulness in the past and staying close to the record of his good intentions toward you as recorded in the pages of scripture feeds hope. The mind becomes a servant of the heart. As John Piper has said, “Biblical thinking serves passionate hoping.”
Let’s commit ourselves to biblical thinking and watch the fire of our hope in God begin to burn brightly!
May everything good from God be yours,

Commit yourself to biblical thinking and watch the fire of your hope in God begin to burn brightly!
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What a terrific analogy, Michele! And I do hope your husband is healing quickly.
Blessings!
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Thank you, Martha!
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“The tinder of truth”–what a marvelous phrase to remind us: The Bible is full of truth to address our every need. If we keep our tinder bucket full (time in God’s Word, memorizing even), we’ll always be ready when circumstances try to snuff out the flame of faith in our hearts. Remembering God’s faithfulness in the past also provides fuel for that faith. I’m so glad I started a journal years ago to celebrate God’s protection, provision, guidance, etc. in our family. It’s another valuable source of tinder. Thank you, Michele, for a memorable visual!
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It does build hope to remember all the wonderful ways God has met us in the past! Your encouragement here, Nancy, is such a gift!
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Oh, thank you, Michele!
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So much treasure for me in this post!
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That makes me so happy!
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For the Hope to come is already here. We are blessed.
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The Hope that does not disappoint!
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Hope is such a lovely word. I was tempted to use it for my daughter. If ever we needed hope it is now but we have it if we have faith of course. #MischiefandMemories
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Oh, yes! Beautiful hope!
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I’m hoping your husband is healing well, Michele … these are the days you must be wishing the boys were all back home again!
Take care of yourself, friend.
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The boys have carried some wood for me, and I am always chagrined at how easily and quickly they get the woodrack filled compared to me!
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I hope your husband is recovering well. Good for you for fire building! I don’t think I have ever built one, except maybe way back in Girl Scouts.
It’s so important what we feed our minds. God has given us lots of good fuel.
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I can’t say that I have become skilled at it, but I am more confident than I used to be. 😍
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Great word picture for how we need to get the flames going!
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It’s always a relief to me when God gives me words to make good use of the challenges in life!
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Wonderful analogy, Michele. We do need that quick-to-ignite truth sometimes to get the flames of our faith going. I love the image of “passionate hope”. I hope your hubby is recovering well!
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Thanks, Laurie, and he is SO ready to be back on his feet!
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Michelle, Thank you for this blessed post, and for having me pause and reflect upon this lesson of letting truth kindle my flame of passionate hope. I hope your husband is getting along well. Blessings.
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Always we need the fuel of truth to keep hope burning brightly!
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This line stood out for me, Michele : He brought reasons for hope to their minds like I bring kindling to the fire in my woodstove. It made me think of the disciples walking along the road to Emmaus and how they later discussed how their hearts burned when the Risen Christ spoke to them.
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That story always comes to mind this time of year. Thanks for bringing it to the conversation.
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Michele, I hope both your husband is doing well. I have always enjoyed tending to a fire. There is something about it that brings a peace and comfort to me. The analogy you shared is beautiful and one I will be thinking on today. The John Piper quote is one I am writing down. Blessings!
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I thought that quote summed things up so well.
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Remembering God’s promises does keep hope alive! We heated with wood stoves when we had a small farm in rural Maine early in our marriage, and your words comparing the short-lived fire of kindling brought your message alive for me.
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Oh, that is so good to hear! Thanks, Kathy!
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I have ordered the three books from this post and am enjoying them very much. thanks for the recommendations.
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I love sharing books with friends!
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Thank you for sharing at #OverTheMoon. We appreciate your shares. They have been Tweeted Pinned. Have a lovely week. I hope to see you at next week’s party too! Please stay safe and healthy. Come party with us at Over The Moon! Catapult your content Over The Moon! @marilyn_lesniak @EclecticRedBarn
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Good thoughts. Thank you for sharing.
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Thank YOU!
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I hope your husband is recovering well! Thanks for sharing with us at Encouraging Hearts and Home. Pinned.
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We are counting the days till he is on both feet again!
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Great illustration, Michele. I appreciate your encouragement, “Let’s commit ourselves to biblical thinking and watch the fire of our hope in God begin to burn brightly!”
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May it be so!
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Oh how I need my hope to burn more brightly again.
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We know where our hope lies!
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I have tended our wood stove many a time. It is a lot of work, no doubt. I hope your husband continues to recover well. Hope is a strong word and we need it more now than ever. Thanks for linking up.
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Thanks, Michelle, he is on the mend.
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I hope your husband is on the mend soon. It is quite a skill starting a fire and keeping it going, requiring a lot of patience. thanks for linking with us at #pocolo
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Always appreciate your thoughts here!
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Thanks for joining us on #MischiefandMemories and I really hope your husband is healing quickly
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Thank you!
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My husband never lets me start a fire but I am in charge of keeping it burning! God has set the spark in my heart and it is my responsibility to keep it alight. I hope your husband’s surgery was successful. Thanks for linking up with #MischiefAndMemories
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Thank you!
And may your flame burn brightly!
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Congratulations! Your post was my feature pick at #OverTheMoon this week. Each Hostess displays their own features so be sure to visit me on Sunday evening and to see your feature! I invite you to leave more links to be shared and commented upon. Please don’t forget to add your link numbers or post title so we can be sure to visit!
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That is FANTASTIC NEWS!
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Beautiful post and wonderful reminder and message as always, my friend! Thanks for sharing and linking with me.
Shelbee
http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com
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[…] Let Truth Kindle Your Flame of Passionate Hope […]
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I hope hubby is back to fire lighting now and feeling much better. We will feature your post in the next Blogger’s Pit Stop. Keep sharing the light.
Kathleen
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Thanks, Kathleen! He got the okay to walk on 2 feet today, and we are rejoicing!
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[…] Let Truth Kindle Your Flame of Passionate Hope by Michele […]
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[…] Let Truth Kindle Your Flame of Passionate Hope by Michele […]
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I hope your husband is well and truly on the mend. Looks like you’ve got some great books on your to be read list – thanks for sharing with #PoCoLo
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Thanks, Stephanie!
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CONGRATS! Your post is FEATURED at the Exploring World Religions Linkup 6!
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That’s great news! Thank you!
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