Listen to Pastor Nick read the Firestarter and the Gospel.

Two responses are announced after Jesus delivers the man with the legion of demons. The first is from the people of v. 36 who have seen the deliverance; the second comes from the man himself. The first reporters are shocked and frightened by the miracle, infecting the people with their fears; they ask Jesus to leave. The second telling comes with the joy, the peace, the energy of the man who had received such a wondrous gift. Both Mark and Luke use the Greek word for “preaching,” kerusso, to describe how he witnesses to the people. Know how different must have been the response of the people infected with joy!

Just as this man, do not stay at the feet of Jesus, but go and share the joy and radiance of your miracle contact with the Lord with many others in your day.

Luke 8:26–39

What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…
Example: Your power over evil v. 26ff

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

Listen to Pastor Nick read the Firestarter and Numbers 15:37-41.

The details of this passage converge into one great truth: God is the absolute center of life. The Lord, who cannot be seen, establishes a visible sign as a reminder of this fact in the blue tassels at the four corners of the basic garment worn by the Israelites.

Look what happens when there is what we would consider, a minor violation of the Sabbath. The grasping energy of having fuels our modern society; contrast this joy of giving in the various offerings and contributions for the worship of God.

The word for atonement in Hebrew is chaphar; you are familiar with this in Yom Kippur, The Day of Atonement. The root of the word means to cover. The blood of Jesus covers your sins so that they are no longer visible. So do not keep looking at them!

Numbers 15:8–41

This is the third of three parts of the Torah Portion Shelah L’cha (Send) 
Conservative and Reform Jewish congregations read only this part this year,
as also in this Bible plan. Here is the entire portion in all three parts. 

Numbers 13—15

Learn about Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: My heart: offering by fire v. 13

The Saturday passages follow the reading list that Jewish people use in their synagogue worship
throughout the world. They are taken from
“The Torah,” the first five books of the Bible from Genesis to Deuteronomy
that are read each year beginning with autumn.

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 Luke 9:57-62.

Have you ever been on a bicycle or in your car while a dog runs along, barking frantically at the wheels? Someone once described the church as a covered wagon, making its way through the world, while dogs bark noisily though harmlessly at the turning, great spokes of the wheels.

Jesus begins his journey to Jerusalem. Nothing distracts him and no one can turn his face away from this focus—at once the place of death and triumph. There is no turning back for Jesus. No barking “Crucify him! Crucify him!” will turn Jesus from the cross.

From 9:57–62, three kinds of persons are presented as those fit to be disciples of Jesus. Dwell on the characteristics, sensing similarities in your own life. The Lord’s call upon your life is very personal.

Luke 9:51—10:24

Create your own Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: Breathing peace in every place 10:5

Fridays are dedicated to the Gospels.
In the season of Pentecost this year we read Luke 9—19:27.

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.