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

[From the original version]

The Gospel of John and the Book of Genesis both begin with, “In the Beginning.” St. John describes the pre-existence of the Son of God in a poetic expression linking heaven and earth. The frame of bounded time is set against the expanse of eternity. Into this frame enters the eternal Word.

Four times in the prologue—nowhere else in this Gospel—the Greek, charis is used, usually translated into English as “grace.” This is the action of God as it enters our human lives. It is the New Testament term for the loving-kindness of God as found in the Hebrew Scriptures. Keeping with the sense of God’s presence among the desert-wandering Jews in the tabernacle, John asserts, “The Word was made flesh and has pitched his tent among us” (author’s translation).

God moves out of time to be in time—yours, so that you can be in eternity now. Pray this awesome passage.

John 1:1–18

Create your own Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: You pitched Your tent among us. 14

Fridays are dedicated to the Gospels.
In Advent through Epiphany this year we read Luke chapters 1 to 8,
with the exception of today.

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 reading.

The Greek, hupogrammos, “example,” literally means an “underwriter.” Just as insurance companies have underwriters that support legitimate claims, so does Christ’s suffering and death give us the grounding and support to withstand unjust treatment that may come our way.

Rather than focus upon yourself as a victim of mistreatment, shift the focus upon a truth that gave the early Christians profound comfort when they were falsely accused. “They departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.” (Acts 5:41). There is no spiritual or physical suffering that you can experience that Jesus did not first endure. Find joy in being treated as Jesus, being one with him in his sufferings, so that you can be one with him in his resurrection.

1 Peter 2:11–25

Find out all about Bible Breaths Learn More…
A Sample from today’s reading:
The pure milk of the Scripture v. 2

Thursdays are dedicated to the letters of Paul, other letters,
the Book of Acts, and the Book of Revelation.
In the seasons of Advent through Epiphany this year,
we read the letters of Peter.

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.

Listen to Pastor Nick read the “Firestarter” and today’s Psalm.

Tap here for a video meditation on Psalm 98.

The psalmist is a conductor of a symphony of praise. It would seem that unless he prays, the very praise of creation is inhibited.

Yes, you have a spiritual voice to sing a new song of praise everyday for a creation that is billions of years old. If you do not pray and work for the Lord today, there are some things that just will not be done at all. Ministry and the Lord’s work will be impaired.

You are a priest of all creation. Teilhard de Chardin, the noted twentieth century theologian and paleontologist, sees the world as an altar. Place upon it your praise, intercession, joys, and sufferings. The world will come to prayer through you.

Psalm 98

What are Bible Breaths? Learn More
Example: Joy for those whose heart is right v. 11

A Sample Bible Breath from today’s Psalm.
Light is a seed within me v. 11

On Wednesdays we follow a reading of 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