[From the original version of the book]

Jesus does not mince words when it comes to eternal life; the stakes are too high. Read these warnings as though for the first time.

Do you readily share your deepest conviction about absolute values? We are called to witness to others about eternal life. This means confronting others, not with judgments but with convictions. It includes sharing your faith in eternal life and the concern that others might be placing their eternal life in danger by the way in which they live.

Co-dependency means that we allow others to determine our actions, instead of God. Are you bold enough not to allow your actions to be a function of what others think of you?

Mark 9:38–50

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]

The Jewish calendar is grounded on three sacred feasts—Passover in the spring, Pentecost in summer and Tabernacles in autumn. Before the Temple was destroyed in the year 70 A.D., Jewish people used to make pilgrimages to Jerusalem for these festivals.

The festival of Tabernacles lasts nine days. Many believe that the pilgrims modeled their celebration of Thanksgiving after this festival. (The reading is part of Portion 31.) The tabernacles recall the tents of dwellers at harvest time as well as the Exodus in the desert.

We Christians can relate these feasts to the Triune God. The death and resurrection of Jesus is the Passover, as the descent of the Holy Spirit is Pentecost. Is there a counterpart for God the Father in Tabernacles? Curiously, we might have found it in the Transfiguration incident when Peter asked Jesus if he would allow three tabernacles to be built for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah. This never takes place. Instead, Jesus resumes his normal appearance and they walk down the mountain, learning about the coming suffering and death of Jesus.

The complete fulfillment of Tabernacles is yet to occur. We are all walking the path of God that leads us more and more into the Promised Land of God’s dominion over our hearts.

Leviticus 22:26—23:44

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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

[From the original version of the book]

It is time to clean house. All the previous efforts of Jesus to avoid his enemies are no longer. The hour of our deliverance is at hand. Jesus turns the Temple upside down. He breaks centuries of abuse and bondage. The Lord wants the people free. God does not tolerate religion that controls and manipulates people.

The boldness of the Lord is held up as a model for faith, as he challenges us to have belief that moves mountains. Believe when you pray. Claim what it is that you are praying for in the Name of Jesus, even when you don’t see the answer in the natural realm. If Jesus turns your heart upside down, it is so that you will fully believe in God’s power.

Mark 11:15–33

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.