Month: October 2024

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Daniel in the Lions’ Den

Listen to Pastor Nick read the “Firestarter” and Daniel 6:10-28.

[Today’s Firestarter is from the edition for families with children.]

Daniel proved that he was a wise and trusted advisor to the King Darius.  The King put Daniel in charge of other officials.  As you might guess, these other persons became very jealous of Daniel.  Today’s episode tells of the powerful protection of Daniel by God.

What got Daniel into trouble was the awful decree that the King was the only one that could be prayed to!  Daniel refused to do this.  He used to pray three times a day to his one, true God.  To remind him of this sacred connection to God, he would turn and face Jerusalem.

Here’s an idea.  Go into your room and spend some minutes praying as you face the direction where your church is located.  In your mind, make a connection by an imaginary straight line that joins you and the church.  This can help to bring the feelings of worship that you hopefully have from your church, right into your heart at this very moment. 

   Daniel 6

Mondays are dedicated to the reading of the Hebrew Prophets.
In the season of Kingdomtide this year, we read the Book of Daniel.

What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…
Example: Unharmed, for I trust in You. v. 23

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.

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The Holiness of Marriage

Listen to Pastor Nick read the “Firestarter” and the Gospel.

Jesus has strong words about divorce and remarriage. Does this situation apply to you? Rather than rationalize what Jesus teaches, let the Lord convict you where there was sin in your life in this regard. It does not mean that God wants you to return to a shattered or abusive relationship.

The Eastern Church sees marriage and divorce in the following way. There is a difference between a precious, ceramic vase that is cracked and can be fixed and one that is shattered into smithereens on the floor. In keeping with the analogy with marriage, both circumstances likely involve sin. In the one, effort needs to be made for repair. In the other, grief over the loss and moving on, humbled yet grateful for saving grace.

Mark 10:2-16

What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…
Example: Kingdom entered as a child v. 15

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

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.

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Protecting the Vineyard

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

[From the original version of the book]

 A hedge protects; be aware of this as you read today’s parable. Evil powers break into the Lord’s sacred vineyard. This is what happened on Calvary, yet not without the Lord’s permission.

Love is vulnerable. Jesus does not protect himself from the onslaught of destructive forces. Yet his love is stronger than evil, stronger than death, and thus the resurrection has created a hedge around a new garden, a new vineyard, a new temple, protecting us by the power of the Spirit from any evil that would further break through.

As you read the arguments and “set-ups” of the religious authorities, be sobered by this. Do not argue with the Lord; just listen and be saved. Rest in the Lord within the “hedges” of God’s protective arms.

Mark 12:1–27

Create your own Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: Stone rejected, cornerstone v. 10

Fridays are dedicated to the Gospels. This year, we generally read
from the Gospel of Mark, this season, chapters 10 to 16.

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.