[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…

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.

[From the edition for families with children]

Though many persons are divorced in our world, still Jesus upholds the holiness of marriage of one man and one woman for life.  When God puts a husband and wife together, let no one attempt to separate them.

Yet there are many people married who may not have been really put together by God.   Unhealed hurts from the past and other forms of wrong thinking and wrong doing can result in mistakes when some couples marry.  This can occasion suffering for young people—maybe for you.  Remember that underneath the suffering of your parents, there is a pure space of love for you.  Ask God to take you to that place.  Remember too, that God loves you and is actively at work to bring you the comfort and security that you need.

God is at work right now preparing you and the other young man or woman who is going to be your spouse in life!  Pray that you be guided to the right person, and that you will have all the love and grace you’ll need to be an example of a holy marriage till the end of our life.  

Mark 10:2-16

What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…

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.

[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…

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.