Listen to Pastor Nick read the Firestarter and 2 Chronicles 27:1-8.

Photos of the earth from a satellite reveal cities as tiny blotches of color flung across the globe. In one glance, the congestion, commotion, and conflict of whole cities are beheld in silence. In a similar way, the chronicler sweeps across the history of Judah in summaries of kings—some good, most evil.

Kings come and go. Whether good or bad, God continues to weave sacred history even with wicked thread. Life is short, especially when seen from above; remember Zaccaheus!

If you were to write a summary about your life, what would you want it to be? There is still time for you to update and upgrade your life according to the image that God had of you when you were first conceived. Keep the end and purpose of your existence in sight. The tiny details of today lived with love can make a magnificent mosaic tomorrow.

2 Chronicles 25—28

What are Bible Breaths? Learn More…
Example:I prosper when I see You. 26:5

Tuesdays are dedicated to the Old Testament books of history
and the Hebrew “Writings.”
In the season of Kingdomtide this year we read Proverbs 30—32
and 2 Chronicles and Ecclesiastes 9—12.

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 Zechariah 13:7-9.

The opening verse of the passage, along with the living waters in 14:8, further the theme of the Well for this week. Apocalyptic images will have you feel the connection with the Book of Revelation as the energy of the year’s end mounts to conclusion. Also, see if you can find some verses that Matthew and Mark place on the lips of Jesus in the narrative of the Passion.

The nineteenth century German philosophy Nietzsche said: “That which doesn’t destroy me makes me stronger.” Zechariah expresses a similar conviction in using the image of the refiner’s fire as suffering comes upon the people. Who or what in your life are you resisting that, if embraced and accepted, would lift you to a higher place, as Zacchaeus, so that you can see Jesus?

Zechariah 13—14

Mondays are dedicated to the reading of the Hebrew Prophets.
In the season of Kingdomtide we read Habakkuk to Malachi.

What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…

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 the Gospel.

One would have to know the kind of person Zacchaeus was before knowing Christ, to appreciate who he became afterward. He was a publican, a tax-collector, just as the one who prayed in the Temple with great repentance in last Sunday’s Gospel. Zacchaeus benefited from his short, stocky build to move cautiously and carefully amid God’s people. They hated him, because he, a Jew, exacted the taxes due to the Roman Empire.

However his soul, short and crouched as his body, expands and lifts itself to the height the tree he climbs to see Jesus. He had heard about Jesus and witnessed the power of the Kingdom near at hand from the disciples that went ahead of Jesus as Jesus made his way to Jerusalem. These faithful disciples opened up a well of deep, spontaneous love in Zacchaeus, breaking the bonds of greed and self-centeredness that bowed him to the ground.

Who will want to see Jesus because of you?

Luke 19:1–10

What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…
Example: Out on a limb for Jesus v. 4

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.