Listen to Pastor Nick read the Firestarter and the reading.

The most beloved image of Jesus is the Good Shepherd. As though recalling Psalm 23, Christians etched these pictures of Jesus in the “dark valleys” of the catacombs of Rome where they hid from persecutions. From a very early tradition as well, comes the center-piece of the Easter Season, “Good Shepherd Sunday.”

Your Good Shepherd laid down his life for you and took it up again, to share it with you. He knows you by name; you are one of his beloved sheep. Do you believe this? Do you know the sweet sound of your name said with love and forgiveness? You and I know the abrasive noises of the present and the echoes of the past that poke at the heart with guilt and shame. I am sure you have many “Romans” who want to persecute you! Look at the Good Shepherd etched into your heart of flesh and rejoice.

John 10:11–18

What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…
Example: You calling me by my name v. 4

Sundays are dedicated to the Gospels from the Revised Common Lectionary.

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 Leviticus 14:33-42.

Leprosy was not only diagnosed of people, but of places as well. As a modern pest or termite inspector, so the priest would come in to evaluate a house to see if leprosy was in the walls.

In the Spirit, we have been given the gift of discernment, which allows us to be as the priest in this passage. Through the Spirit, we can tell the spiritual atmosphere of a place—either the joyful spirit of holiness or the leprosy of strife.

Yet even more important than the physical house, is the house of the body in which you dwell. How is it? Do you allow feelings, resentments, fears etc. to eat away at this house which is you? Do you need an exterminator? Ask the Holy Spirit to drive far from you all the deceits and wiles of the Evil One, so that in your inner house, the Trinity may dwell with you and make you whole.

Leviticus 14:33–57

This is the second of three parts of the Torah Portion Metzora (Afflicted) 
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.

Leviticus 14:1—15:33

Learn about Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: Holiness within my soul

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 the reading.

Jesus uses the word “abide” eleven times in this reading. The Greek word for this, menein, means to “abide,” “dwell in,” and “remain with.” The word is alive. It means to take the branch of whom you are and engraft it onto the vine, which is Jesus. A wholly new spontaneity begins to flow from you.

We find the source of this abiding in the way in which the Father and the Son abide in each other. How intimate and selfless God is! We are not God, but God shares the divine life-source with us.

Meditate and literally abide with these words today and always. You need no longer live alone. Open yourself to the power of God’s life which flows within you and then outside of you in loving service.

John 15:1–17

Create your own Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: Pruned, to make me bear more fruit v. 2

Fridays are dedicated to the Gospels.
In the Seasons of Lent and Easter we read the Gospel of John.

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.