Listen to Pastor Nick read the Firestarter and the Gospel.

In the time of the early church, anyone who confessed Jesus as Lord was expelled from the Temple and the local synagogues. Those beloved walls would no longer embrace the ones who had embraced Jesus. There would be no more pilgrimages to Jerusalem for them!

Herein lies the significance of the account of “The Man Born Blind.” Here too is that irony that threads its way through John’s Gospel. The miracle of being able to see for the first time since birth contrasts with the blindness of those who arrogantly claim to see, but who are in fact, blind.

May you be enriched by the confession of the blind man given the gift of sight by faith. No longer are the Pharisees there, “expelled” from Jesus’s presence by their disbelief. Remain with the blind man and Jesus. What is happening to you as you share this silent, loving space together?

John 9:1–41

What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…
Example: Jesus the light of the world. v. 5

Sundays are dedicated to the Gospels from the Revised Common Lectionary.
During Lent and Easter, we read from 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.

Listen to Pastor Nick read the Firestarter and Exodus 35:30-35.

Here, as often throughout the Torah readings, the law of the Sabbath is repeated. Though these readings from Exodus are about holy objects, it is well to remember that the first designation of the word holy in the Bible in Genesis 2:3 is not given to an article, or even to a person: it is given to time—the Sabbath.

Everyone is involved in bringing the gifts for the Tabernacle. There is frequent use of terms such as those whose “hearts were stirred” and “spirits were willing.”

Moses repeats what the Lord gave to him in 31:2–6. This is among the earliest references in the Bible to the Holy Spirit filling someone. The Spirit gives Bezalel the anointing to gather all the gifts into the unity of the Tabernacle. God fills you with the Holy Spirit so that you may transform the gifts of others into a time and a place where God dwells.

Exodus 35:1—36:19

This is the first of three parts of the Torah Portion Vayahkel (And He Assembled) 
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.
Ex. 35:1—38:20

This year there is also read Pekude (Reckoning) 
Exodus 38:21—40:38

Learn about Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: Here and now is holiness.  36:19

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 John 2:1-11.

Six heavy, earthen urns sit awkwardly; ashamedly empty in the midst of the energy of a wedding feast. Six— number of incompleteness. The wine of the old law has been consumed. Place yourself there. Stand next to the mother of Jesus and listen to her instruction: “Whatever He says to you, do it.”

Does your life sometimes feel as one of those empty urns—empty, heavy, waiting to be filled? The bridegroom is with you right now as you enter into this sacred passage. Open yourself to be filled. Let all that is old in you yield to the New Wine that the Spirit of Jesus is ready and longing to pour into your heart.

The glory moves from the wedding to the Temple. Jesus overturns the tables of that place where the glory used to be, but is no longer. Is there anything in your life that needs to be overturned?

John 2

Create your own Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: My empty soul filled with God v. 6

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.