Bible

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The Day of Atonement – With Recording

Listen to Pastor Nick read the “Firestarter” and Jonah 4:2-11.

In the course of the years of seminary, God blessed me with the friendship of a cantor in the Reformed tradition, the late Sidney Venetianer. Along with his family, Sid became my life-long, devoted friend until his death in 1993. One Yom Kippur, I joined him in a complete fast of twenty-four hours, prescribed by the Torah for this day. That day sealed for me what has become a love for Judaism and a desire that we rediscover its profound rhythms for prayer, devotion to the Lord and openness to the ongoing flow of God into our lives.

The essence of the day is prayer and repentance, with the assurance that God is listening and merciful. It is a day of closeness in the Jewish Community, both those on earth and those beyond the grave, as remembrances of names of the community rise forth at the service on this day. It is a fitting day to visit a synagogue. As Christians, we bring the assurance of God’s forgiveness and atonement in Jesus Christ.

The Book of Jonah is read in its entirety on this day. (You will find Firestarters for this book in the Eighth and Ninth Weeks of Pentecost, Year C.)

Jonah 1-4

Learn about Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: Sifting till anger is gone. Jonah 4:10-11

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

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On God’s Side

Listen to Pastor Nick read the “Firestarter” and 2 Kings 8:1-6.

[From the original edition of the book]

It finally comes—the end of a line of wicked kings and a super-wicked woman. Over at last are years of organized idolatry and murder of prophets at the hands of Jezebel. For not having a window in her life that faces God, she is thrown out of one! Be careful not to open a window to wrongdoing. A foothold becomes a stronghold and you can become tossed about by every wind of evil.

A verse repeats in this part of the history of God’s People: “They did evil in the sight of the Lord”—bold, brazen, defiant evil. Look for all the adjectives that describe evil. Can you come up with some more?

Poisonous fruit begins as a seed the Evil One seeks to plant in human hearts, yours and mine. The seed?

Pride—placing anything or anyone as Number One in your life, except the Lord.

Sometimes people ask, “Is God on our side?” The question is rather, “Am I on the side of God?”

2 Kings 8—9

What are Bible Breaths? Learn More…
Example: Pride goeth before the fall. 9:33

Tuesdays are dedicated to the Old Testament books of history
and the Hebrew “Writings.”
In the season of Kingdomtide this year we read Proverbs 22—23; 2 Kings; Ecclesiastes 5—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

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The Holiness of Marriage

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

Jesus has strong words about divorce and remarriage. Does this situation apply to you? Rather than rationalize what Jesus teaches, let the Lord convict you where there was sin in your life in this regard. It does not mean that God wants you to return to a shattered or abusive relationship.

The Eastern Church sees marriage and divorce in the following way. There is a difference between a precious, ceramic vase that is cracked and can be fixed and one that is shattered into smithereens on the floor. In keeping with the analogy with marriage, both circumstances likely involve sin. In the one, effort needs to be made for repair. In the other, grief over the loss and moving on, humbled yet grateful for saving grace.

Mark 10:2-16

What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…
Example: Kingdom entered as a child v. 15

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.