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: Wide reach of the joy in me

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.

While the second commandment forbids the making of images adored as God, the Lord knows that our senses need to be active so that we can go beyond them to the realm of the Spirit.

In order to get a sense of the size of the court for the tabernacle in the wilderness, imagine the dimensions of a football field. Stretching across the field is the length of the tabernacle—about 50 yards. Its width is from the 25^th yard line to the goal line. Within that sacred space, clear directions from the divine architect are given to Moses.

Now leave the “football field” and enter into the tabernacle as you listen to the exact dimensions, adornment, and location of every object … the color of every thread. All these are symbols, meant to act upon our senses to stimulate the awe of being in the presence of God. Sense the colors. What spiritual feelings does each one stir in you? Let all your spaces today be sacred.

Exodus 26:31—27:19

Learn about Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: My heart an altar for You 

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

No one sits down and consumes three meals of the day all at once. Similarly, you may want to take the nourishment from God’s Word today and divide it into smaller portions. Sense the contrasting movements of the chapter. Be with Jesus on the mountaintop as he seeks uninterrupted union with the Father before he calls the Twelve Apostles.

Think of it: Jesus prays. If the eternal Son of God sought out times for quiet prayer, how much more do you and I need to do the same. The absence of union with God in the lives of the Pharisees had them become the plaything of the forces of Satan through pride and religiosity.

Take time to listen to Luke’s counterpart to Matthew: “The Sermon on the Plain.” Read slowly … pray deeply … ponder the questions that Jesus puts to you.

Luke 6

Create your own Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: Blessing those who curse at me v. 27

Fridays are dedicated to the Gospels.
In Advent through Epiphany this year we read Luke chapters 1 to 8.

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.