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

Feelings get hurt; we all know the experience. Anguish and anger collide, at times irrupting in strong outbursts as rejection or even betrayal occurs in our lives.

Avoid falling into fear as you read about a “punishing God” that might echo from your upbringing. God hurts; the Holy Spirit grieves. Here God expresses exasperation and profound sadness at the outright idolatry of the people. Movement beyond the Chosen People is intimated by the irony of the opening verse. There are many who seek God in their heart without knowing it. Conversely, there are those who profess faith in the Lord, but whose hearts are devoted to everything but God. Is God your first love?

Isaiah 65:1–16
Example: Trusting You, my faithful God v. 16

Mondays are dedicated to the reading of the Hebrew Prophets.
In the seasons of Advent through Epiphany this year we read Isaiah 56 to 66..

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.

Hours of the night—the time for a fisherman to be successful on the Sea of Galilee. Get in touch with the fatigue, the frustration, the failure, and finally that looking forward to sleep after the nets are all cleaned, folded, and readied for the next evening’s return to the deep.
However, all of this changes when Jesus comes on the scene. Picture Simon Peter and his friends listening to Jesus while they finish cleaning. Something begins to shift inside them as they listen to Jesus. Hearts begin to glow. Along with the sun, gentle smiles dawn upon their faces. They are ready for the command of Jesus to “Put out into the deep.” Against all odds and contrary to their professional opinion, Peter obeys; Jesus commands. Take the net of God’s Word and cast it across your day.

Luke 5:1–11

What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…
Example: Putting out into the deep

Sundays are dedicated to the Gospels from the Revised Common Lectionary.
In year C, we generally read from the Gospel of 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 Exodus 16:11-21.

Join today, not only with those across the globe who observe the Sabbath, but also reach down over 3,250 years ago to that Sabbath after the week of manna. Just as the Lord had ceased the work of creation and rested on the seventh day, so does God command . The Sabbath is a sacred time to pause and celebrate God’s presence and activity in life. A familiar saying is reversed: “Don’t just DO something—STAND THERE!

Yet instead of spending time contemplating the miracle of free bread from the skies, the Israelites complain that they are now about to die of thirst. Doubt, complaining and anger cloud their belief that the God who just did one miracle for food is about to do another for water.

After the reading, go down into your own depths and flush out any doubting or complaining going on there.

Exodus 16:11—17:16

This is the third of three parts of the Torah Portion Beshallah (Sent Out)
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.

Exodus 13:17—17:36

Learn about Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: All complaining stops within 17:3

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